190. Cognizance of offences by Magistrates.- (1) Subject to the provisions of this Chapter, any Magistrate of the first class, and any Magistrate of the second class specially empowered in this behalf under sub-section (2 ), may take cognizance of any offence-

(a) upon receiving a complaint of facts which constitute such offence;

(b) upon a police report of such facts;

(c) upon information received from any person other than a police officer, or upon hi s own knowledge, that such offence has been committed.

(2) The Chief Judicial Magistrate may empower any Magistrate of the second class to take cognizance under sub-section (1 ) of such offences as are within his competence to inquire into or try.

STATE AMENDMENT

Punjab and Union Territory of Chandigarh:

After section 190 insert the following section, namely:-

" 190 A. Cognizance of offences by Executive Magistrate.-Subject to the provisions of this Chapter any Executive Magistrate may take cognizance of any specified offence-

(a) upon receiving a complaint of facts which constitute such offence;

(b) upon a police report of such facts:

(c) upon information received from any person other than a police officer, or upon hi s own knowledge, that such offence has been committed."

[Vide Punjab Act 2 2 of 1983 (w.e.f. 27-6-1983)]