(1)If any landlord or his agent levies from a tenant anything in money or kind in addition to or in excess of the rent or interest lawfully payable, the Collector of the district or any Deputy Collector who may be specially empowered by the State Government in this behalf may, if he is so satisfied, by order impose on the landlord or on his agent or on both, as the case may be, such penalty as such officer thinks fit, not exceeding five hundred rupees, or when double the amount or value of what is so levied exceeds five hundred rupees, not exceeding double that amount or value or simple imprisonment for a period not exceeding six months in their case.Such officer may proceed against the landlord and his agent in the same proceeding or in separate proceedings, and shall award to the tenant, by way of compensation and cost, such portion of the penalty as he thinks fit.
