General

(1) The provisions of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898, the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908, and the Indian Evidence Act, 1872, shall not apply to proceedings before Panchayats, save to the extent mentioned in this Act, but the Panchayat may ascertain the facts of any criminal case or civil or revenue suit by all legitimate means in its power and thereafter pass such order, sentence or decree as may be in accordance with justice and good conscience. (2) Every Panchayat shall maintain a brief memorandum of proceedings of each case tried by it.