Section 32
of Forest Act
Section 32
(1)
The Director and any forest officer empowered thereunto by name or office by the Minister by public notification —
(a)
may accept from any person against whom a reasonable suspicion exists that he has committed any forest offence, other than an offence specified in section 29 or 30, a sum of money not exceeding $1,000 by way of compensation for the offence which such person is suspected of having committed; and
(b)
when any property has been seized as liable to confiscation, may release the property on payment of the value thereof as estimated by such officer, and all sums so received shall be credited to revenue.
(2)
On the payment of such sum of money or such value or both, as the case may be, the suspected person, in custody shall be discharged, the property, if any, shall be released, and no further proceedings shall be taken against such person or property, unless the property consists of forest produce in which case such forest produce shall be forfeited.
(3)
Any power vested in a forest officer by notification under this section may at any time be withdrawn by the Minister by public notification.
Compensation for damage caused by commission of forest offence.