(1) At any stage of the proceedings, the Commission shall be entitled to refer such issue or issues in the matter as it considers appropriate to persons including, but not limited to, the officers and consultants of the Commission whom the Commission considers as qualified to give expert or specialized advice or opinion.
(2) The Commission may nominate from time to time any person including, but not limited to, the officers and consultants to visit any place or places for inspection and report on the existence or status of the place or any facilities therein.
(3) The Commission, if it thinks fit, may direct the parties to appear before the persons, designated in sub-regulation (1) or (2) to present their respective views on the issues or matters referred to.
(4) The report or the opinion received from such person shall form a part of the record of the case and parties shall be given the copies of the report or opinion given by the person designated by the Commission. The parties shall be entitled to file their version either in support or in opposition to the report or the opinion.
(5) The Commission shall duly take into account the report or the opinion given by the person and the replies filed by the parties while deciding the matter and if considered necessary, examine the person giving the report or the opinion:
Provided that the Commission shall not be bound by the report or the opinion given and shall be entitled to take such decision as it may consider to be appropriate.