Penalty for unauthorised collection and award of compensation.

(1) Every person other than the persons authorised to collect the tolls under this Act, who levies or demands any toll on any State Road or bridge shall, on conviction, be liable for imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months or with fine which may extend to Rs. 2,000 or with both. (2) Every persons who unlawfully demands or takes any toll at a higher rate than lawfully levied under this Act or seizes or sells any property knowing such seizure or sale to be unlawful or in any manner unlawfully extorts money or any valuable things from any person under the colours of this Act, shall, on conviction, be liable to imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months or with fine which may extend to Rs. 2,000 or with both. (3) Where a Magistrate imposes sentence or fine or where fine forms a part, the Magistrate may, when passing judgement, order the whole or any part of the fine recovered to be paid to the person aggrieved to compensate him for any loss or injury caused to him for the unauthorized collection of toll. (4) No Magistrate shall take cognizance of any offence under this Act except on a complaint in writing made by an officer authorised by the State Government in this behalf.