- No person shall be tried for any offence against the provisions of this Actor if any rule, bye-law or regulation made thereunder, unless a complaint is made by the police, or Secretary or by a person authorised in this behalf by the Council or the Secretary [within twelve months] [Substituted 'within three months' by Act 14 of 1999, w.e.f. 24-3-1999.] of the commission of the offence. But nothing herein shall affect the provisions of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (Central Act 2 of 1974) in regard to the power of certain Magistrates to take cognizance of offences upon information received or upon their own knowledge or suspicion:Provided that failure to take out a licence, obtain permission or secure registration under this Act shall, for the purpose of this section, be deemed a continuing offence until the expiration of the period, if any, for which the licence, permission or registration is required and, if no period is specified, complaint may be made at any time [within eighteen months] [Substituted 'within twelve months' by Act 14 of 1999, w.e.f. 24-3-1999.] from the commencement of the offence.
