Section 20: Power of Adjudicating Officer and the Appellate Authorities in relation to holding inquiry under this Act.

20. Power of Adjudicating Officer and the [Appellate Authorities] in relation to holding inquiry under this Act.- (1) The Adjudication Officer and the [Appellate Authorities] shall, while holding an inquiry, have all the powers of a Civil Court under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 (V of 1908), while trying a suit, in respect of the following matters, namely :-

(a) summoning and enforcing the attendance of witnesses and examining them on oath ;

(b) requiring the discovery and production of any document ;

(c) receiving evidence on affidavits ;

(d) requisitioning any public record or copy thereof from any Court or office ;

(e) issuing commissions for the examination of witnesses or documents ;

(f) any other matter which may be prescribed.

(2) The Adjudicating Officer or the [Appellate Authorities] shall, while exercising any power under this Act, be deemed to be a Civil Court for the purposes of sections 345 and 346 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (II of 1974).