Section 247. Authority for prosecution.

Unless otherwise expressly provided, no court shall take cognizance of any offence punishable under this Act or any rule or any bye-law except on the complaint of, or upon information received from the municipality or its Executive Officer/Secretary or some person authorised by the municipality or by the Executive Officer/Secretary in this behalf. Explanation.–– The municipality or its Executive Officer/Secretary may authorise any person and shall be deemed to have authorised any person appointed by the Government to make complaints, or give information, without previous reference to the municipality, either generally, in regard to all offences against this Act and the rules or bye-laws, or particularly in regard only to specified offence or offences of a specified class. The person authorised may be authorised by office, if he is President, Vice-President, Health Officer of the municipality or officer-in-charge of a police station ; in other cases the authority must be personal. The authority must in all cases be in writing and may at any time be cancelled by the municipality.