Section 12 — Cognizance and trial of offences.

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 

                                                           
1. Subs. by Act 49 of 1987, s. 4, for section 12 (w.e.f. 16-12-1987). 



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(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.]