¹[196A. No Court shall take cognizance of the offence of criminal conspiracy punishable under section 120B of the Penal Code, (1) in a case where the object of the conspiracy is to commit either an illegal act other than an offence, or a legal act by illegal means, or an offence to which the provisions of section 196 apply, unless upon complaint made by order or under authority from the ²[Government, or some officer empowered in this behalf by the Government], or. (2) in a case where the object of the conspiracy is to commit any non-cognizable offence, or a cognizable offence not punishable with death, transportation or rigorous imprisonment for a term of two years or upwards, unless the ³[Government, ⁴[***] or a] District Magistrate empowered in this behalf by the Government, has, by order in writing consented to the initiation of the proceedings: Provided that where the criminal conspiracy is one to which the provisions of sub-section (4) of section 195 apply no such consent shall be necessary.]