Amendment status not verified — confirm the current text below against the official source.
1 [12. Cognizance and trial of offences. --(1) No court inferior to that of a Metropolitan Magistrate or a Judicial Magistrate of the first class shall try any offence punishable under this Act. (2) No court shall take cognizance of an offence punishable under this Act except upon-- (a) its own knowledge or upon a complaint made by the appropriate Government or an officer authorised by it in this behalf, or (b) a complaint made by the person aggrieved by the offence or by any recognised welfare institution or organisation. Explanation. --For the purposes of this sub-section "recognised welfare institution or organisation" means a social welfare institution or organisation recognised in this behalf by the Central or State Government.]