Section 11 — Cognizance of offences.

11.  Cognizance of offences.―No Court shall take cognizance of any offence punishable under 

this Act except on a report in writing of the facts constituting such offence made by a person who is a 

public servant as defined in section 21 of the Indian Penal Code (45 of I860) 5[or any person 

aggrieved or any recognised consumer association, whether such person is a member of that 

association or not]. 

6[Explanation.―For the purposes of this section and section 12AA, “recognised consumer 

association” means a voluntary consumer association registered under the Companies Act, 1956 (1 of 

1956) or any other law for the time being in force.] 

                                                      
1. Ins. by Act 36 of 1967, s. 9 (w.e.f. 30-12-1967).  

2. Subs. by Act 30 of 1974, s. 7, for “the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898 (5 of 1898)” (w.e.f. 22-6-1974). 

3. The words “and bailable” omitted by s. 7, ibid. (w.e.f. 22-6-1974).  
4. Ins. by s. 8, ibid. (w.e.f. 22-6-1974). 

5. Ins. by Act 73 of 1986, s. 2 (w.e.f. 1-5-1987). 

6. Added by s. 2, ibid. (w.e.f. 1-5-1987). 



17 

 

STATE AMENDMENT 

Uttar Pradesh 

Amendment of section 11.—In section 11 of the principal Act, for the words “by person who is a 

public servant as defined in section 21 of the Indian Penal Code”, the words “by order of, or under 

authority from the District Magistrate or such other officer as may be empowered by the State 

Government by general or special order in this behalf” shall be substituted.  

[Vide Uttar Pradesh Act 9 of 1974, s. 7]