Cognizance of offences

Cognizance of offences.—

1. (1) No court shall take cognizance of any offence punishable under this Act which alleges contravention of the provisions of this Act except with the previous sanction of the appropriate Government in writing.
2. (2) No court inferior to that of a Metropolitan Magistrate or a Judicial Magistrate of the first class shall be competent to try any offence punishable under this Act.