Correct Answer:
C. Special Magistrate
Cognizance refers to the stage where a court or magistrate takes judicial notice of an offense and initiates proceedings. The correct option is Special Magistrate. In many legal frameworks, particularly for specific types of offenses or under certain acts, special magistrates are specifically empowered to take cognizance, ensuring specialized and efficient adjudication of those particular cases.
- Police Inspector: Police investigate and file reports, but do not perform the judicial function of taking cognizance.
- Deputy Commissioner: This is an administrative role, not typically a judicial one for taking cognizance.
- District Judge: While a judicial officer, for specific acts, the power to take cognizance might be exclusively vested in a Special Magistrate.