Section 22 in Management and Working of the Forests
22. When offenders concerned in fire cases are detected they should ordinarily be prosecuted. But in very exceptional circumstances it may be desirable to compound such cases or let the offenders off with warnings, and in such circumstances cases may be so disposed of, provided that the District Officer approves and any compensation fixed is realised by the Divisional Forest Officer or by a Subordinate who is competent to compound cases. As a rule, when it is not desirable to prosecute, warning offenders is preferable to compounding, due precaution being, of course, taken to make the offenders understand that they are being leniently dealt with. The circumstances of all cases disposed of by warning or compounding should be reported to the Conservator.
