Section 30
Compounding of offences.
The Offshore Areas Mineral (Development and Regulation) Act, 2002
About this Act
An Act to provide for development and regulation of mineral resources in the territorial waters, continental shelf, exclusive economic zone and other maritime zones of India and to provide for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.
Any offence punishable under this Act may, either before or after the institution of the prosecution, be compounded by the administering authority or any other officer authorised by the Central Government with respect to that offence, on payment for credit to that Government of such sum as that administering authority or officer, as the case may be, may specify:
Provided that such sum shall not, in any case, exceed the maximum amount of the fine which may be imposed under this Act for the offence so compounded.
(2) Where an offence is compounded under sub-section (1), no proceeding or further proceeding, as the case may be, shall be taken against the offender in respect of the offence so compounded and the offender, if in custody, shall be released forthwith.
Provided that such sum shall not, in any case, exceed the maximum amount of the fine which may be imposed under this Act for the offence so compounded.
(2) Where an offence is compounded under sub-section (1), no proceeding or further proceeding, as the case may be, shall be taken against the offender in respect of the offence so compounded and the offender, if in custody, shall be released forthwith.