(1) No court shall take cognizance of any offence punishable under this Act, except with the previous sanction of the Chief Executive Officer, or any person authorised by the Chief Executive Officer by general or special order, in this behalf: 1[Provided that, where an offence is committed by a member of the Authority (including the Chairman of the Authority and the Chief Executive Officer), the authority competent to grant such previous sanction shall be the State Government or an officer authorised by the State Government in this behalf.]
<span style="margin-left:15px;"></span>(<i>1</i>) No court shall take cognizance of any offence punishable under this Act, except with the previous sanction of the Chief Executive Officer, or any person authorised by the Chief Executive Officer by general or special order, in this behalf:<br> <span style="margin-left:15px;"></span> <sup>1</sup>[Provided that, where an offence is committed by a member of the Authority (including the Chairman of the Authority and the Chief Executive Officer), the authority competent to grant such previous sanction shall be the State Government or an officer authorised by the State Government in this behalf.] <br>