(1)The Collector, or any Prohibition and Excise Officer specially empowered in that behalf may accept from any person whose licence or permit is liable to be cancelled or suspended under clause (a) or clause (b) of sub-section (1) of Section 31 or who is reasonably suspected of having committed an offence falling under clause (b), clause (c) or clause (g) of Section 34, clause (a), clause (e), clause (f), clause (g) or clause (h) of Section 36, clause (b), clause (c) or clause (d) of Section 37 or Section 41 a sum of money not exceeding [a sum of money subject to such minima, as may be prescribed and notified by the Government from time to time] [Substituted 'one lakh rupees and subject to such minima as may be prescribed' by Act No. 8 of 2017, dated 1.5.2017.], in lieu of such cancellation or suspension or by way of compensation for the offence which may have been committed as the case may be; and in all cases in which any property has been seized is liable to confiscation under this Act, may release the same on payment of the value thereof as estimated by such officer :Provided that where the property so seized is a liquor manufactured in contravention of this Act, such liquor shall not be released but shall be disposed of in such manner as may be prescribed.(2)On the payment by the person, the sum of money or the value or both, as the case may be in accordance with the provisions of sub-section (1) of Section 47-A such person, if in custody shall be set at liberty, and all the property seized may be released and no proceedings shall be instituted or continued against such person in any Criminal Court. The acceptance of compensation shall be deemed to amount to an acquittal and in no case any further proceedings be taken against such person or property with reference to same act.
