(1) Any person other than a public servant or a service association or a trade union may present a petition to the Commission with an additional copy for service on the opposite party requesting that any allegation of corruption against any public man specified in such petition may be investigated under this Act.
(2) Every petition under sub-section (1) shall be accompanied by an affidavit in support of the allegation contained therein and a treasury receipt evidencing the deposit of a sum of five hundred rupees:
Provided that no such treasury receipt shall be necessary where the petition is presented jointly by not less than ten members of the Legislative Assembly.
(3) Every petition under sub-section (1) as well as any schedule or annexure thereto shall be verified in the manner laid down in the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 (Central Act 5 of 1908), for the verification of pleadings.
(4) The person who presents a petition under sub-section (1) or any other person shall not publish or cause to be published the contents of the petition in any manner whatsoever.
(5) Any person who contravenes the provisions of sub-section (4) shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to two years, or with fine, or with both.