(1) Any person who contravenes the provisions of section 5, sub-section (2) of section 6, section 7, section 10, section 14, section 15, sub-section (1) of section 16 or subsection (3) of section .17, shall be guilty of an offence under this Act and shall, on conviction, be punished with imprisonment which may extend to six months or with fine which may extend to Es. 500 or with both.
(2) When a person is convicted of an offence under this Act, the court convicting such person may also order that any animal or trophy in respect of which the offence has been committed, or any weapon or instrument, vehicle or vessel used in committing the offence, shall be forfeited to the State or that any licence or permit or business certificate held by such person be cancelled.
19. No court shall take cognizance of an offence under this Act except on written complaint of any officer referred to in clause (a), (b) or ( c) of sub-section (1) of section 3 or Offences and penalties.
Cognizance of offences 6 x The West Bengal Wild Life Preservation Act, 1959.
Power of entry, search, seizure and arrest, [West Ben. Act (Chapter -H.—Offences and Penalties.—Sections 20, 21.)
of a police-officer not below the rank of a Sub-Inspector of Police and unless the prosecution is instituted within three months from the date on which the offence is alleged to have been committed.