No court shall proceed to the trial of any person for an offence against this Act except with the consent of 1*** the 2[District Magistrate]. 1. Th e wo rds “ the L. G. o r ” r ep . b y th e A. O. 1937. 2. Subs. by Act 54 of 2001, s. 3, for “Central Government” (w.e.f. 1-2-2002). 3