Cognizance of offences

Cognizance of offences. (1) No court inferior to that of a Presidency Magistrate or a Magistrate of the First class shall try offence under this Act. (2) Notwithstanding anything contained in the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898, it shall be lawful for a Presidency Magistrate or a Magistrate of the First Class to pass a sentences of fine on any person convicted of an offence under clause (c) of sub-section (1) of section 147 as provided under section 148, ion excess of his powers under section 32 of that Code. (3) No prosecution under this Act shall be lodged, except with the previous sanction of the State Government in the case of an offence under clause (c) of sub-section(1) of section 147, and of the Registrar in the case of any other offence under this Act. Such sanction shall not be given, except after hearing the party concerned, by an officer authorized in this behalf by the State Government by a general special order.