23. Compounding of offences.—

(1) Notwithstanding anything contained in the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, any offence under this Act, not being an offence punishable with imprisonment only, or with imprisonment and also with fine, may, either before or after the institution of prosecution, be compounded by a proper officer, not below the rank of Commissioner, on payment, by the person accused of the offence, to the Central Government of such compounding amount in such manner as may be prescribed.

(2) The option of compounding shall not be available to a person—

(a) who has been allowed to compound once in respect of any of the offences specified in clauses (a) to (f) of sub-section (1) of section 18 and the offences which are relatable to the said specified offences;

(b) who has been allowed to compound once in respect of any offence, other than those in clause (a), under this Act, the cess exceeding one crore rupees;

(c) a person who has been accused of committing an offence under this Act which is also an offence under any other law for the time being in force;

(d) a person who has been convicted for an offence under this Act by a Court; and

(e) any other class of persons or offences, as may be prescribed.

(3) Any compounding shall be allowed only after making payment of cess, interest and penalty involved in such offences and shall not affect the proceedings, if any, instituted under any other law for the time being in force.

(4) The amount for compounding of offences under this section shall be such, as may be prescribed, subject to the minimum amount not being less than ten thousand rupees or fifty per cent. of the cess involved, whichever is higher, and the maximum amount not being less than thirty thousand rupees or one hundred and fifty per cent. of the cess, whichever is higher.

(5) On payment of such compounding amount as may be determined by the proper officer, no further proceedings shall be initiated under this Act against the accused person in respect of the same offence and any criminal proceedings, if already initiated in respect of the said offence, shall stand abated.