- [(1)] [The first and second paragraphs of section 55 were renumbered as sub-sections (1) and (2) of section 55 by Tamil Nadu Forest (Amendment) Act, 1979 (Tamil Nadu Act 45 of 1979).] Any Forest Officer specially empowered in this behalf may accept, from any person reasonably suspected of having committed any forest-offence other than an offence under section 50 [or section 52] [The expression 'or section 52' was omitted by Tamil Nadu Forest (Amendment) Act, 1992 (Tamil Nadu Act 44 of 1992).], [xxx] [The expression 'or section 52' was omitted by Tamil Nadu Forest (Amendment) Act, 1992 (Tamil Nadu Act 44 of 1992).] a sum of money by way of compensation for the offence which may have been committed, and where any property has been seized as liable to confiscation, may release the same on payment of the value thereof as estimated by such officer.(2)[] [The first and second paragraphs of section 55 were renumbered as sub-sections (1) and (2) of section 55 by Tamil Nadu Forest (Amendment) Act, 1979 (Tamil Nadu Act 45 of 1979).] On the payment of such sum of money, or such value, or both, as the case may be, to such officer, the accused person, if in custody, shall be discharged, the property seized shall be released, and no further proceedings shall be taken against such person or property.(3)[ Nothing contained in sub-sections (1) and (2) shall apply to any offence in respect of -(a)any sandalwood, where the weight of such sandalwood involved in such offence is more than one hundred kilograms; and(b)any scheduled timber (other than sandalwood) where the value of such scheduled timber involved in such offence is more than ten thousand rupees.]
