54. Receipt for rent and interest thereon - (1) Every tenant who makes a payment on account of rent or interest due thereon, or both to his landlord shall be entitled to obtain forthwith from the landlord or his agent, free of charge, a signed receipt for the same, in the prescribed form.
(2)The landlord or his agent shall prepare and retain a counterfoil, in the prescribed form of the receipt.[(3) (a) If a landlord or his agent, without reasonable cause fails to grant such a receipt or to prepare and retain such a counterfoil, such landlord or his agent, as the case may be shall be punishable with simple imprisonment for a term which may extend to one month or with fine which may extend to one hundred rupees or both in respect of each such failure.(b)An offence under clause (a) shall be bailable and shall be compoundable with the leave of the Court and the provisions of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898 [(5 of 1898)] shall apply to the trial of such offence.](4)If, in any suit or other proceeding under this Act or any other law the Court or presiding officer (not being the Deputy Commissioner) finds that any landlord or agent has failed,-(a)to deliver to a tenant a receipt in the prescribed form,(b)to prepare and retain a counterfoil, in the prescribed form, of a receipt delivered to a tenant as aforesaid, such Court or officer shall inform the Deputy Commissioner [who may take cognizance of the offence and may either try the case himself or transfer it for trial to a competent Magistrate subordinate to him.][* * * * * *]
