(1)The State Government may, [subject to such conditions as may be specified, by notification] [Substituted by Act 1 of 1981 w.e.f. 23.2.1981.], empower a Forest Officer,-(a)to accept from any person against whom a reasonable suspicion exists that he has committed any forest offence, other than an offence under section 72 or section 73 [or section 86 or section 87] [Inserted by Act 1 of 1981 w.e.f. 23.2.1981.], a sum of money not exceeding [fifty thousand rupees] [Substituted by Act 12 of 1998 w.e.f. 11.5.1998.], by way of composition for the offence which such person is suspected to have committed;(b)when any property has been seized as liable to confiscation [subject to section 71G] [Inserted by Act 1 of 1981 w.e.f. 23.2.1981.], to release, the same on payment of the value thereof [as may be prescribed.] [Substituted by Act 12 of 1998 w.e.f. 11.5.1998.]
