Prevention of Food Adulteration Act : Cognizance and trial of offences. Indian Bare Acts :

Prevention of Food Adulteration Act,1954

Act No : 37

Section : Cognizance and trial of offences.

20. (1)Cognizance and trial of offences. 2*[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, 3*[the Central Government or the State Government 4* * * or a person authorised in this behalf, by general or special order, by the Central Government or the State Government 4* * *]: 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. 6*[(2) No court inferier to that of a Metropolitan Magistrate or a Judicial Magistrate of the first class shall try any offence under this Act. (3) Notwithstanding anything contained in the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, an offence punishable under sub-section (1AA) of section 16 shall be cognizable and non-bailable.] (of 1974).