(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—

(a)upon receiving a complaint of facts, including any complaint filed by a person authorised under any special law, which constitutes such offence;

(b)upon a police report (submitted in any mode including electronic mode) of such facts;

(c)upon information received from any person other than a police officer, or upon his own knowledge, that such offence has been committed.

(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.