Chapter V COMPLAINTS OF ILLEGAL SEIZURE OR DETENTION

Any person whose cattle has 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 any magistrate authorised to receive and try charges.

(1) The complaint shall be made either in writing or verbally by the complainant in person or by an agent personally acquainted with the circumstances: Provided that if it is made verbally, the substance of it shall be taken down in writing by the magistrate. (2) If the magistrate on examining the complainant or his agent has reason to believe the complaint to be well founded, he shall summon the person complained against and make an enquiry into the case.

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 fines paid and expenses incurred by the complainant in procuring the release of the cattle: Provided that if the cattle have not been released, the magistrate shall, besides ordering such compensation, order their release and direct that the fines and charges leviable under this Act shall be paid by the person who made the seizure or detained the cattle.

The compensation, fines and charges mentioned in section 22 may be recovered as if they were fines imposed by the magistrate.