(1) Subject to such conditions as may be prescribed, any officer
authorised by the Chief Registrar by a general or special order in this behalf may, either before or after the
institution of criminal 1[proceedings under this Act,--
(a) accept from the person, except the person specified in sub-section (1A) of section 23, who has committed or is reasonably suspected of having committed an offence under this Act, by way of composition of such offence a sum of money not exceeding two hundred and fifty rupees;
(b) accept from the person specified in sub-section (1A) of section 23, who has committed or is reasonably suspected of having committed an offence under this Act, by way of composition of such offence a sum of money not exceeding one thousand rupees in respect of each birth or death.]
(2) On the payment of such sum of money, such person shall be discharged and no further proceedings shall be taken against him in respect of such offence.
(a) accept from the person, except the person specified in sub-section (1A) of section 23, who has committed or is reasonably suspected of having committed an offence under this Act, by way of composition of such offence a sum of money not exceeding two hundred and fifty rupees;
(b) accept from the person specified in sub-section (1A) of section 23, who has committed or is reasonably suspected of having committed an offence under this Act, by way of composition of such offence a sum of money not exceeding one thousand rupees in respect of each birth or death.]
(2) On the payment of such sum of money, such person shall be discharged and no further proceedings shall be taken against him in respect of such offence.
1. Subs. by s. 16, ibid., for certain words (w.e.f. 1-10-2023).