20.
Cognizance and trial of offences .-
(1) No prosecution for an offence under this
Act, not being an offence under section 14 or
section 14A shall be instituted except by ,
or with the written consent of, the Central
Government or the State Government or a person
authorised in this behalf, by general or special
order, by the Central Government or the State
Government.
Provided that
a prosecution for an offence under this Act
may be instituted by a purchaser (or recognised
consumer association) referred to in section
12, if he or it produces in court a copy of
the report of the public analyst along with
the complaint.
(2) No court inferior to that
of a Metropolitan Magistrate or Judicial Magistrate
of the first class shall try any offence under
this Act.
(3) Notwithstanding anything
contained in the Code of Criminal Procedure,
1973 (2 of 1974), an offence punishable under
sub-section (1AA) of section 16 shall be cognizable
and non-bailable).
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