(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 -
(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.
PUNJAB AND UT OF CHANDIGARH.- In relation to the specified offences, the Code shall be so read as if after Section 190 of the Code, the following section was inserted, 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 offences. -