Section 51. Cognizance of offences.

(1) No court shall take cognizance of any offence punishable under this Act except upon a complaint in writing made by an officer of 1[the National Housing Bank or the Reserve Bank] generally or specially authorised in writing in this behalf by 1[the National Housing Bank or the Reserve Bank] and no court other than that of a Metropolitan Magistrate or a Judicial Magistrate of the first class or a court superior thereto shall try any such offence. (2) Notwithstanding anything contained in the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (2 of 1974), a Magistrate may, if he sees reason so to do, dispense with the personal attendance of the officer of 1[the National Housing Bank or the Reserve Bank] filing the complaint but the Magistrate may in his discretion, at any stage of the proceedings, direct the personal attendance of the complainant.