Amendment status not verified — confirm the current text below against the official source.
Power of Magistrate to hear case in absence of accused.- If any person summoned to appear before a Magistrate to answer a charge of an offence under this Act or against any rule or byelaw made there under fails to appear at the time and place mentioned in the summons, the Magistrate may, if- (a) service of the summons is proved to his satisfaction, and (b) no sufficient cause is shown for the non-appearance of such person; hear and determined the case in his absence. 398.Limitation of time for prosecution.- No Magistrate shall take cognizance of any offence under this Act or under any rule or byelaw made there under unless complaint of such offence is made- (a) within six months next after the date of the Commission of such offence; or (b) if such date is not known or the offence is a continuing one, within six months next after the date on which the Commissioner or of any officer or servant whose duty it is to report such offence to the Commissioner.