Section 55
Cognizance of offences.
The Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972
About this Act
An Act to provide for the protection of wild animals, birds and plants and for matters connected therewith or ancillary or incidental thereto with a view to ensuring the ecological and environmental security of the country.
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.]
(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.]
Notes
1. Subs. by Act 44 of 1991, s. 39, for section 55 (w.e.f. 2-10-1991).
2. Ins. by Act 16 of 2003, s. 33 (w.e.f. 1-4-2003).
3. Ins. by Act 39 of 2006, s. 4 (w.e.f. 4-9-2006).
4. Ins. by Act 18 of 2022, s. 35 (w.e.f. 1-4-2023).
5. Ins. by Act 16 of 2003, s. 33 (w.e.f. 1-4-2003).
7. Ins. by Act 16 of 2003, s. 33 (w.e.f. 1-4-2003).
2. Ins. by Act 16 of 2003, s. 33 (w.e.f. 1-4-2003).
3. Ins. by Act 39 of 2006, s. 4 (w.e.f. 4-9-2006).
4. Ins. by Act 18 of 2022, s. 35 (w.e.f. 1-4-2023).
5. Ins. by Act 16 of 2003, s. 33 (w.e.f. 1-4-2003).
7. Ins. by Act 16 of 2003, s. 33 (w.e.f. 1-4-2003).