Procedure and powers of Designated Court regarding offences

(1) The Designated Court may take cognizance of the offence without the accused being committed to it for trial and, in trying the accused person, shall follow the procedure prescribed in the code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (Act No.2 of 1974) for the trial of Sessions Cases. (2) Except the provision of section 467 all the provisions of the Code of Criminal procedure, 1973(Act No.2 of 1974) shall, so far as may be, apply to the proceedings before a Designated Court and for the purposes of the said provisions a Designated court shall be deemed to be a Magistrate. (3) The Designated Court shall exercise the power of remand with regard to person forwarded to it as provided under section 167 and 309 of the Code of Criminal procedure, 1973 (Act No.2 of 1974). (4) The Designated Court while trying the offence under this Act may also try an offence other than the offence under this Act with which the accused may be charged at the same trial under Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973(Act No.2 of 1974). (5) The offence punishable under this Act shall be cognizable and non-bailable.