All offences under this Act shall be cognizable.

Jurisdiction to try offences Jurisdiction to try offences.—

1. (1) No court inferior to that of a Magistrate of the First Class shall try any offence punishable under this Act.
2. (2) No court shall take cognizance of any offence punishable under this Act except on a report in writing of the facts constituting such offence made by—
   • (a) an officer of the State Government not below the rank of a Mamlatdar or Mahalkari or a Taluka Development Officer; or
   • (b) a person or a class of persons authorised in this behalf by the State Government by notification in the Official Gazette.