Section 54:
Cognizance of offences
(1) No court shall take cognizance of any offence punishable under this
Act except on a complaint--
(a) made by, or with the previous sanction in writing of, the Director-General or the Chief
Inspector; or
(b) made by an office-bearer of a voluntary organisation registered under the Societies
Registration Act, 1860 (21 of 1860); or
(c) made by an office-bearer of any concerned trade union registered under the Trade Unions Act,
1926 (16 of 1926).
(2) 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.