(1) If within seven days after any cattle have been impounded, no person appearing

to be the owner of such cattle offers to pay the pound fee and expenses chargeable under section 187 such cattle shall be forthwith sold by auction in the prescribed manner and the surplus remaining after deducting the fee and expenses aforesaid from the proceeds of the sale, shall be paid to any person who, within fifteen days after the sale, proves to the satisfaction of such offices as the panchayat authorises in this behalf that he was the owner of such cattle and shall in any other case, from part of the village fund.

1. (2) No Police Officer, or officer, member or servant of the panchayat including the pound-keeper shall directly or indirectly, purchase any cattle at a sale under sub-section (1).