Section 22:
Cognizance of offences.
(1) No court shall take cognizance of an offence under this Act except
on a complaint made by--
(a) the Appropriate Authority concerned, or any officer authorised in this behalf by the
Central Government or the State Government or, as the case may be, the Appropriate Authority;
or;
(b) a person who has given notice of not less than sixty days, in such manner as may be
prescribed, to the Appropriate Authority concerned, of the alleged offence and of his intention to
make a complaint to the court.
(2) No court other than that of a Metropolitan Magistrate or a Judicial Magistrate of the first class
shall try any offence punishable under this Act.
(3) Where a complaint has been made under clause (b) of sub-section (1), the court may, on
demand by such person, direct the Appropriate Authority to make available copies of the relevant
records in its possession to such person.