81. Restriction on prosecution

A prosecution for any offence under this Act punishable with imprisonment for a term of 7 years or more shall not be instituted except with the consent of the Public Prosecutor:Provided that, subject to the provisions of the law for the time being in force relating to criminal procedure —

a person charged with such an offence may be arrested, or a warrant for his arrest may be issued and executed, and any such person may be remanded in custody or on bail, notwithstanding that the consent of the Public Prosecutor to the institution of a prosecution for the offence has not been obtained, but the case shall not be further prosecuted until that consent has been obtained; and

when a person is brought before a court under this section before the Public Prosecutor has consented to the prosecution the charge shall be explained to him but he shall not be called upon to plead, and the provisions of such law shall be modified accordingly.