Section 15(1) in The Himachal Pradesh Forest Produce (Regulation of Trade) Act, 1982
(1)The State Government may by notification, empower a Forest Officer not inferior in rank to that of a Divisional Forest Officer-(a)to accept from any person against whom a reasonable suspicion exists that he had committed an offence punishable under this Act, a sum of money by way of compensations in lieu of prosecution for the offence which such person is suspected to have committed; and(b)when any property other than forest produce has been seized as liable to confiscation, to release the same on payment of the value thereof as may be determined by such officer.
