Complaints of illegal seizure or detention

Complaints of illegal seizure or detention. (1) Any person whose cattle have been seized under this Act or having been so seized, have been detained in contravention of this Act may, at any time within ten days from the date of the seizure, make a complaint to the Magistrate of the first class.

(2) The complaint shall be made by the complainant in person, or by an agent personally acquainted with the circumstances. If the Magistrate on examining the complainant or his agent sees reason to believe the complaint to be well founded, he shall summon the person complained against, and make an enquiry into the case.

(3) If the seizure or detention be adjudged illegal, the Magistrate shall award to the complainant for the loss caused by the seizure or detention reasonable compensation not exceeding one hundred rupees to be paid by the person who made the seizure or detained the cattle, together with all fees paid and expenses incurred by the complainant in procuring the release of the cattle, and if the cattle have not been released the Magistrate shall besides awarding such compensation order their release, and direct that the fees and expenses leviable under this Act shall be paid by the person who made the seizure or detained the cattle.

(4) The compensation, fees and expenses mentioned in this section may be recovered as if they were fines imposed by the Magistrate.