1[(1) The Collector or any Prohibition and Excise Officer specially empowered in that behalf may accept from any person who is reasonably suspected of having committed an offence falling under clause (a) or sub-clause (i) of clause (b) or the proviso to sub-clause (ii) of clause (b) as it was in force, of section 8 or section 9, a sum of money as may be prescribed but not exceeding the maximum fine which can be imposed for the offence under the provisions of the Act, by way of compensation for the offence which may have been committed and in all cases in which any property has been seized as liable for 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 produced or manufactured in contravention of this Act, such liquor shall not be released but shall be disposed of in such manner as may be prescribed:
Provided further that such sum of money shall not be accepted from any person who is reasonably suspected of having committed an offence under sub-clause (i) of clause (b) of section 8 without the prior approval of the Commissioner of Prohibition and Excise.
(2) On the payment by the person the sum of money or the value or both, as the case may be, 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 the same act.]
Footnotes in the official text
- 1.Inserted with marginal heading by Act No.17 of 2000.