Chapter V Chapter V

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 seizure, make a complaint to the District Magistrate or any Magistrate authorised to receive and try charges without reference by the Magistrate of the district.

(1) The complaint shall be made by the complainant in person or by an agent personally acquainted with the circumstances. It may be either in writing or verbal. If it be verbal, the substance of it shall be taken down in writing by the Magistrate. (2) 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.

(1) 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. (2) If the cattle have not been released, the Magistrate shall, besides awarding such compensation, order their release and direct that the fines and expenses leviable under this Act shall be paid by the person who made the seizure or detained the cattle.

The compensation, fines and expenses mentioned in section 21 may be recovered in the manner provided for the recovery of fines under the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898.