Section 60. Cognizance of offences

60. Cognizance of offences .—No court shall take cognizance of an offence under this Act except on a complaint made by— (a) the National Authority, the State Authority, the Central Government, the State Government, the District Authority[2] [, the Urban Authority] or any other authority or officer authorised in this behalf by that Authority or Government, as the case may be; or (b) any person who has given notice of not less than thirty days in the manner prescribed, of the alleged offence and his intention to make a complaint to the National Authority, the State Authority, the Central Government, the State Government, the District Authority[2] [, the Urban Authority] or any other authority or officer authorised as aforesaid. 3 [60A. Power of Central Government or State Government to take action in relation to nature of hazard and punishment for its contravention .—(1) The Central Government or the State Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, require any person to take any action or refrain from taking any action, in relation to the nature of the hazard, which in the opinion of the Central Government or the State Government, as the case may be, is required for reducing the impact of a disaster. (2) Any notification issued under this section shall be valid for a period specified therein or six months, whichever is earlier. (3) Whoever contravenes the provisions of this section shall be liable to pay a penalty as specified in the notification of the Central Government or the State Government, as the case may be: 1. Subs. by Act 10 of 2025, s. 34, for "and 56" (w.e.f. 9-4-2025). 2. Ins. by s. 35, ibid . (w.e.f. 9-4-2025). 3. Ins. by s. 36, ibid . (w.e.f. 9-4-2025). Provided that the penalty referred to in this sub-section shall not exceed ten thousand rupees.]