Section 21 — Cognizance of offences.

(1) Save as otherwise provided in section 173 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (2 of 1974), no court shall take cognizance of any offence punishable under this Act except upon a complaint in writing made by-- 1 [(a) the Designated Officer or the Food Safety Officer directed under sub-section (5) of section 42 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 (34 of 2006); or] (b) an officer not below the rank of a Class I officer authorised in this behalf, by general or special order, by the Government; or (c) a representative of such voluntary organisation engaged in the field of child welfare and development and child nutrition as the Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, authorise in this behalf. (2) Where a complaint has been made by a representative of the voluntary organisation authorised under clause (c) of sub-section (1) and the court has issued a summons or, as the case may be, a warrant under sub-section (1) of section 204 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (2 of 1974), the Assistant Public Prosecutor for that court shall take charge of the case and conduct the prosecution.

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