(1) After examining the claims with reference <p the priorities specified in the Second Schedule, the Commissioner shall fix a date on or before' which evcrv claimant shall file the Droof of his claim.
Admission or rejection of claims.
(2) Not less than fourteen days' notice of the date so fixed shall be given by advertisement in one issue of any daily newspaper in the English language having circulation in the major part of the country and in one i&sue of any daily newspaper in such regional language as the Commissioner may consider suitable, and every such notice shall call upon the claimant to file the proof of his claim with the Commissioner within the period specified in the advertisement.
(3) Every claimant who fails to file the poof of Ms claim within the period specified by the Commissioner shall be excluded from the disbursement made by the Commissioner.
(<) Hie Commissioner shall, after such investigation as may, in his opinion, be necessary and after giving the concerned company an opportunity of refuting the claim and after giving the claimant a reasonable opportunity of being heard, admit or reject by order in writing the claim in whole or in part.
(5) The Commissioner shall have the power to regulate his own procedure in all matters arising out of the discharge of his functions, including the place or places at which he may hold his sittings and shall, for the purpose of making any investigation under this Ordinance, have the same powers as are vested in a civil court under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908, while trying a suit, in respect of the following matters, namely:— 5 Df 1908.
(a) the summoning and enforcing the attendance of any witness and examining him on oath;
(b) the discovery and production of any document or other material object producible as evidence;
(c) the reception of evidence on affidavits;
(d) the issuing of any commission for the examination of witnesses.
(6) Any investigation before the Commissioner shall be deemed to be a judicial proceeding within the meaning of sections 193 and 228 of the Indian Penal Code and the Commissioner shall be deemed to bo a civil court for the purposes of section 195 and Chapter XXV[ of the Code of Criminal Procedure
1973.
45 af I860.
2 nt 1974.
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(7) A claimant who is dissatisfied with the decision of the Commissioner may prefer an appeal against such decision to the principal civil court of original jurisdiction within the local limits of whose jurisdiction the registered office of the concerned company is situated :
Provided that where a person who is a Judge of. a High Court is appointed to be the Commissioner, such appeal shall lie to the High Courr. exercising jurisdiction over the place in which the registered olfice 01 the concerned company is situated and such appeal shall be heard and disposed of by not less than twn TMHOP.S; of th:it Hifrh Court
22. After admitting a elaim under this Ordinance, the amount due in respect of such claim shall be paid by the Commissioner to the person or persons lo whom such amount is due, and on such payment, the liability of each of ihe two companies in respect of such claim shall stand discharged.