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Chapter VIII - Miscellaneous

Section 27: Cognizance of offences

Restricts court cognizance to complaints by the aggrieved woman or an authorised committee officer and prescribes the competent court level.

Act No. 14 of 2013Authority: Aggrieved woman or authorised Committee officer; Magistrate/Metropolitan MagistrateData reviewed on 17 July 2026

In 2 minutes

Restricts court cognizance to complaints by the aggrieved woman or an authorised committee officer and prescribes the competent court level.

Statutory text

27. Cognizance of offence by courts.—(1) No court shall take cognizance of any offence punishable under this Act or any rules made thereunder, save on a complaint made by the aggrieved woman or any person authorised by the Internal Committee or Local Committee in this behalf. (2) No court inferior to that of a Metropolitan Magistrate or a Judicial Magistrate of the first class shall try any offence punishable under this Act. (3) Every offence under this Act shall be non-cognizable.

Source transcription: India Code consolidated Act PDF. Check the official source for a live matter.

Rule, authority, record and consequence map

Related Central RuleNo dedicated Central Rule; read the Act, applicable service rules and State material.
Primary authorityAggrieved woman or authorised Committee officer; Magistrate/Metropolitan Magistrate
Core recordAuthorisation and complaint filing proof
Compliance consequenceA complaint by an unauthorised person may not satisfy the cognizance requirement.

Practical example

A criminal complaint under this Act is initiated through the statutorily authorised complainant or committee officer rather than any unrelated person.

Finin2min Q&A

What should an employer or committee do first?

Create the record identified above, check the linked Rule and preserve a dated decision trail. Do not replace the statutory process with an informal HR discussion where the Act applies.

What needs jurisdiction-specific checking?

State rules and notifications, District Officer and Local Committee details, service rules, standing orders, appellate forum and any sector regulator requirements.