43. Cognizance of offences. – (1) No court shall take cognizance of any offence under this Act except on a co… — THE AIR (PREVENTION AND CONTROL OF POLLUTION) ACT, 1981

[43. Cognizance of offences. – (1) No court shall take cognizance of any offence under this Act except on a complaint made by-

1 [43. Cognizance of offences. – (1) No court shall take cognizance of any offence under this Act except on a complaint made by- (a) a Board or any officer authorised in this behalf by it; or (b) any person who has given notice of not less than sixty days, in the manner prescribed, of the alleged offence and of his intention to make a complaint to the Board or officer authorised as aforesaid, and 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. Where a complaint has been made under clause (b) of sub-section (1), the Board shall, on demand by such person, make available the relevant reports in its possession to that person: Provided that the Board may refuse to make any such report available to such person if the same is, in its opinion, against the public interest.] Members, officers and employees of Board to be public servants . – All the members and all officers and other employees of a Board when acting or purporting to act in pursuance of any of the provisions of this Act or the rules made thereunder shall be deemed to be public servant within the meaning of section 21 of the Indian Penal Code (45 of 1860). Reports and returns. -The Central Board shall, in relation to its functions under this Act, furnish to the Central Government, and a State Board shall, in relation to its functions under this Act, furnish to the State Government and to the Central Board such reports, returns, statistics, accounts and other information as that Government, or, as the case may be, the Central Board may, from time to time, require. Bar of jurisdiction. - No civil court shall have jurisdiction to entertain any suit or proceeding in respect of any matter which an Appellate Authority constituted under this Act is empowered by or under this Act to determine, and no injunction shall be granted by any court or other authority in respect of any action taken or to be taken in pursuance of any power conferred by or under this Act. CHAPTER VII MISCELLANEOUS Power of State Government to supersede State Board. – (1) If at any time the State Government is of opinion- (a) that a State Board constituted under this Act has persistently made default in the performance of the functions imposed on it by or under this Act, or (b) that circumstances exist which render it necessary in the public interest so to do, the State Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, supersede the State Board for such period, not exceeding six months, as may be specified in the notification: Provided that before issuing a notification under this sub-section for the reasons mentioned in clause (a), the State Government shall give a reasonable opportunity to the State Board to show cause why it should not be superseded and shall consider the explanations and objections, if any, of the State Board. Upon the publication of a notification under sub-section (1) superseding the State Board, - (a) all the members shall, as from the date of supersession, vacate their offices as such;

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