Sayyiduna Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Avert the hudud (prescribed punishments), and it is not befitting for the imam to suspend the hudud."
Al-Bukhari said: Al-Mukhtar bin Nafi' is munkar al-hadith (his narrations are rejected).
Hadith Referenceالسنن الكبرى للبيهقي / كتاب الحدود / 17060