Section 48:
Designated Court and jurisdiction.
(1) For the purposes of providing speedy trial of
offences under this Act, the Central Government, after consulting the Chief Justice of the concerned
High Court or High Courts as it may consider necessary, shall specify by notification, one or more
Court of Sessions, to be the Designated Court and may specify the territorial jurisdiction of such
Court.
(2) The Designated Court shall have jurisdiction to try any offence punishable under this Act.
(3) No Designated Court shall take cognizance of an offence punishable under this Act except
upon a complaint in writing made by an officer authorised in this behalf by the Central Government by
notification.
(4) The Designated Court may, upon perusal of a complaint made under this Act, take cognizance
of that offence without the accused being committed to it for trial.
(5) Notwithstanding anything contained in the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (2 of 1974), for
the purposes of conferring jurisdiction, an offence under this Act, committed by any person or
Operator in Antarctica shall be deemed to have been committed in India.
(6) While trying an offence under this Act, the Designated Court may also try an offence under
any other law, other than an offence under this Act with which the accused may be charged at the
same trial under the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (2 of 1974).