(1) Notwithstanding anything contained in any law for the time being in force, no person other than a practitioner referred to in section 35 shall couch or attempt to couch or agree or offer by physical means or interference with the eye, to give vision to a person suffering from cataract, with or without that person’s consent.
(2) Whoever contravenes the provisions of sub-section (1) or abets the contravention of the said provisions shall, on conviction, be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months or with fine which may extend to one thousand rupees or with both.
(3) Any police officer may arrest without warrant any person who is reasonably suspected of having committed an offence punishable under sub-section (2).
(4) A magistrate may take cognizance of an offence under this section,—
(a) on a report of a police officer; or
(b) on the information of any other person; or
(c) upon his own knowledge or suspicion that such an offence has been committed:
Provided that no cognizance shall be taken where the offence alleged was committed more than six months after the date the offence is said to have been committed.]1
1. Inserted by Act 32 of 1966 w.e.f. 22.12.1966.