48. [ Power of compound offences and impose penalty. [Substituted by M.P. Act No. 6 of 1995 (w.e.f. 16-2-1995).]
(1)The Excise Commissioner or the Collector may :-(a)accept from any person whose licence, permit or pass is liable to be cancelled or suspended under clauses (a) or (b) of Section 31, or who is reasonably believed to have committed an offence under Section 37, Section 38, Section 38-A (Except cases involving admixture of an intoxicant with any noxious drugs) or Section 39, a sum of money not exceeding ten thousand rupees in lieu of such cancellation or suspension or by way of composition for such offence, as the case may be, or may impose as a penalty a sum not exceeding ten thousand rupees, and may in either case, order the confiscation of articles which are seized; and(b)in any case in which any property has been seized as liable to confiscation under this Act, may at any time before an order of confiscation has been passed by a judicial Magistrate, release the same, on payment of the value thereof as estimated by the Excise Commissioner or the Collector.](2)On the payment of such sum of money, or such value or both, as the case may be, to the [Excise Commissioner or Collector] [Substituted by M.P. Act No. 6 of 1995 (w.e.t. 16-2-1995).], the accused person, if in custody shall be discharged, the property seized (if any) shall be released, and no further proceeding shall be taken against such person or property.
