Penalties and procedure

(1) Whoever contravenes any order of the Central Government or of a National service Tribunal made under section 17 or wilfully fails to comply with any summons, requirement, direction or order issued or made by the Central Government or by a National Service Tribunal under any other provision of this Chapter shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months, or with fine not exceeding Rs. 1,000, or with both. (2) No court shall take cognizance of any offence punishable under sub-section (1) except with the previous sanction in writing, ----- (a) in the case of contravention of any order or any wilful failure to comply with any summons, requirement or direction of the Central Government, of the Central Government; (b) in the case of contravention of any order or any wilful failure to comply with any summons, requirement or direction of a National Service Tribunal, of the National Service Tribunal. (3) Notwithstanding anything contained in the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898 (5 of 1898), an offence punishable under sub-section (1) shall be cognizable. (4) No court inferior to a Presidency Magistrate or a Magistrate of the First Class shall try any offence punishable under sub-section (1).