Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 — back to Table of Contents
Section 19. Cognizance of offences
No court shall take cognizance of any offence under this Act except on a complaint made by—
- (a) the Central Government or any authority or officer authorised in this behalf by that Government, 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 Central Government or the authority or officer authorised as aforesaid.
Note: Clause (b) is the basis for citizen-initiated criminal complaints under the Act — any person may prosecute an offender after giving the prescribed 60-day prior notice, which has made this a significant tool in environmental public interest litigation in India.
