Certain offences to be cognizable

(1) Offences under sections 16, 17, 17A, 17C, 18, 19, sub-section (4) of section 24, section 25 and sub-sections (1) and (2) of section 40 shall be cognizable and shall not be triable by any Court inferior to that of a Magistrate of the First Class. (2) Notwithstanding anything contained in section 32 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898, it shall be lawful for a Magistrate trying offences under this Act to pass sentences of fine or to award any punishment under this Act in