Prosecution to be at instance of Principal Chief Commissioner or Chief Commissioner or Principal Commissioner or Commissioner

A person shall not be proceeded against for an offence under section 473, 474, 475, 476, 477, 478, 479, 480, 481, 482, 483, or 484 except with the previous sanction of the Principal Commissioner or Commissioner or Joint Commissioner (Appeals) or Commissioner (Appeals).

The Principal Chief Commissioner or Chief Commissioner or Principal Director General or Director General may issue such instructions or directions to the income-tax authorities mentioned in sub-section (1) as he considers fit for institution of proceedings under that sub-section.

A person shall not be proceeded against for an offence under section 478 or 482 in relation to the assessment for a tax year for which the penalty imposed or imposable on him under section 439 has been reduced or waived by an order under section 469.

Any offence under this Chapter may be compounded, either before or after the institution of proceedings, by the Principal Chief Commissioner or Chief Commissioner or a Principal Director General or Director General.