20. Power to make complaints
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 the seizure, make a complaint to the
Magistrate of the District or any Magistrate authorized to receive and try charges without reference by the Magistrate of
the District.
21. Procedure on complaint
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.
If the Magistrate, on examining the complainant or his agent, sees reason to believe the complainant to be well founded,
he shall summon the person complained against, and make an inquiry into the case.
22. Compensation for illegal seizure or detention
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, 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.
23. Recovery of compensation
The compensation, fines and expenses mentioned in section 22 may be recovered as if they were fined imposed by the
Magistrate.]