Notwithstanding anything contained in the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898, every offence punishable under this Act shall be deemed to be a cognizable offence within the meaning of that Code.

Special provision regarding police report Special provision regarding police report. No Magistrate shall take cognizance of any offence punishable under this Act except upon a report in writing of the facts constituting such offence made by an officer of the Archaeological Department of the State Government not below the rank of a Deputy Director of Archaeology or by such officer as the State Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, specify in this behalf.