Section 44: Cognizance of offences.

(1) No court shall take cognizance of any offence punishable under this Act except on a complaint in writing made by--

(a) the appropriate authority concerned, or any officer or an agency authorised in this behalf by the Central Government or the State Government, as the case may be, or the appropriate authority; or

(b) a person including a social organisation who has given notice of not less that fifteen days in the manner prescribed, to the appropriate authority, of the alleged offence and of his intention to make a complaint to the court.

(2) 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.