26. Penalties and procedure.-
(1) Whoever contravenes any order of the Central Government or of a National Service Tribunal made under section 23 or wilfully fails to comply with any summons, requirement, direction or order issued or made by the Central Government or by a National Service Tribunal under any other provision of this Chapter shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months, or with fine not exceeding one thousand rupees, or with both.
(2) No court shall take cognizance of any offence punishable under sub-section (1) except with the previous sanction in writing,-
(a) in the case of contravention of any order or any wilful failure to comply with any summons, requirement or direction of the Central Government, of the Central Government;
(b) in the case of contravention of any order or any wilful failure to comply with any summons, requirement or direction of a National Service Tribunal, of the National Service Tribunal.
(3) Notwithstanding anything contained in the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898 (5 of 1898), an offence punishable under sub-section (1) shall be cognizable.
(4) No court inferior to a Presidency Magistrate or a Magistrate of the First Class shall try any offence punishable under sub-section (1).