(1) Notwithstanding anything contained in this Chapter, the Inspector-cum-Facilitator shall, not initiate prosecution proceeding against an employer for any offence under this Chapter, give an opportunity to comply with relevant provisions of this Act within a period of thirty days from the date of notice giving opportunity, and, if the employer complies with such provisions within such period, then, no such proceeding shall be initiated against such employer:
Provided that no such opportunity shall be accorded to an employer in case of an accident and if the violation of the same nature of the provisions under this Code is repeated within a period of three years from the date on which such first violation was committed and in such case the prosecution shall be initiated in accordance with provisions of sub-section (2).
(2) No court shall take cognizance of any offence punishable under this Code, unless a complaint in respect thereof is made within six months of the date on which the alleged commission of the offence came to the knowledge of the Inspector-cum-Facilitator and a complaint is filed in that regard by him.
(3) No court inferior to that of a Metropolitan Magistrate or a Judicial Magistrate of the First Class shall try any offence punishable under this Code.
Explanation.---For the purposes of this section,---
(a) in the case of a continuing offence, the period of limitation shall be computed with reference to every point of time during which the offence continues;
(b) where for the performance of any act, time is granted or extended on an application made by the employer of an establishment, the period of limitation shall be computed from the date on which the time so granted or extended expired.