(1) The court before whom the person is produced under sub-section (2) of section 4, shall on receipt of the medical report referred to in sub-section (3) of that section, make a summary inquiry into the facts and circumstances of the case and also age, character and the physical capacity for ordinary manual labour of the person produced before it.
(2) During such inquiry the court shall explain to such person the facts alleged against him in the report of the authorised officer and record any statement which he may wish to make with reference thereto.
(3) If such person disputes the correctness of the report of the authorised officer in any material respect, the court shall proceed, as nearly as may be, in accordance Summary inquiry by the court in respect of persons found begging and produced before it.
6 [Act No. 12 of 1977] with the procedure laid down for the trial of summons cases in the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973.
(4) If the inquiry cannot be completed forthwith the court may adjourn it, from time to time and order the person to be remanded to such place and custody as may be convenient.
(5) For the purposes of inquiry, the court may examine the medical officer as a witness and shall reduce the examination to writing.