(1) No court inferior to that of a 1[Metropolitan Magistrate shall try any offence punishable under this Act.
(2) No court shall take cognizance of an offence punishable under this Act, unless the complaint in respect of the offence has been made within three months from the dale of the commission of the offence.
(3) Notwithstanding anything contained in 2[section 29 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (2 of 1974)] it shall be lawful for any 3[Metropolitan Magistrate] to pass a sentence of fine exceeding 4[five thousand rupees] on a person convicted of an offence punishable under this Act.
1Subs. by s. 19, ibid., for [magistrate of the first class] (w.e.f. 1-12-1988).
2Subs. by Act 57 of 1988, s. 19, for "Section 32 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898 (5 of 1898)" (w.e.f. 1-12-1988).
3Subs. by s. 19, ibid., for "magistrate of the first class" (w.e.f. 1-12-1988).
4Subs. by s. 19, ibid., for “two thousand rupees” (w.e.f. 1-12-1988).