(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.](2)On the payment of such sum of money, or such value, or both, as the case may be, to such officer, the suspected person, if in custody, shall be discharged, the property, if any, seized shall be released, and no further proceedings shall be taken against such person or property.(3)A Forest Officer shall not be empowered under this section, unless he is a Forest Officer of rank not inferior to that of a Range Forest Officer.
