1[55. Cognizance of offences.-- No court shall take cognizance of any offence against this Act on the complaint of any person other than--
(a) the Director of Wild Life Preservation or any other officer authorised in this behalf by the Central Government; or
2[(aa) the Member-Secretary, Central Zoo Authority in matters relating to violation of the provisions of Chapter IVA; or]
3[(ab) Member-Secretary, Tiger Conservation Authority; or]
(ac) Director of the concerned tiger reserve; or
4[(ad) the Management Authority or any officer, including an officer of the Wild Life Crime Control Bureau, authorised in this behalf by the Central Government; or]
(b) the Chief Wild Life Warden, or any other officer authorised in this behalf by the State Government 5[subject to such conditions as may be specified by that Government]; or
5[(bb) the officer-in-charge of the zoo in respect of violation of provisions of section 38J; or]
(c) any person who has given notice of not less than sixty days, in the manner prescribed, of the alleged offence and of his intention to make a complaint, to the Central Government or the State Government or the officer authorised as aforesaid.].
(b) the Chief Wild Life Warden, or any other officer authorised in this behalf by the State Government 6[subject to such conditions as may be specified by that Government]; or
7[(bb) the officer-in-charge of the zoo in respect of violation of provisions of section 38J; or]
(c) any person who has given notice of not less than sixty days, in the manner prescribed, of the alleged offence and of his intention to make a complaint, to the Central Government or the State Government or the officer authorised as aforesaid.]
1Subs. by Act 44 of 1991, s. 39, for section 55 (w.e.f. 2-10-1991).
2Ins. by Act 16 of 2003, s. 33 (w.e.f. 1-4-2003).
3Ins. by Act 39 of 2006, s. 4 (w.e.f. 4-9-2006).
4Ins. by Act 18 of 2022, s. 35 (w.e.f. 1-4-2023).
5Ins. by Act 16 of 2003, s. 33 (w.e.f. 1-4-2003).
6Ins. by Act 16 of 2003, s. 33 (w.e.f. 1-4-2003).