(1) The Registrar may, of his own accord, himself, or by a person authorized by him by order in writing, hold an inquiry into the constitution, working and financial condition of a co-operative society.
(2) An inquiry of the nature referred to in sub-section (1) shall be held by the Registrar or by a person authorized by him in writing in this behalf on the application of-
(a) a co-operative society to which the society concerned is affiliated ;
(b) not less than one-third of the total members of the society ;
(c) a majority of the members of the committee of management of the society.
(3) The Registrar, or the person authorized by him under sub-section (1) shall for the purposes of any inquiry under this section, have the following powers, namely-
(a) he shall, at all times have access to the books, accounts, documents, securities, cash and other properties belonging to or in the custody of the society and may summon any person in possession of, or responsible for, the custody of any such books, accounts, documents, securities, cash or other properties, to produce the same at any place at the headquarters of the society or any branch thereof ;
(b) he may summon any person who he has reason to believe, has knowledge of any affairs of the society to appear before him at any place at the headquarters of the society or any branch thereof and may examine such person on oath ;
(c) he may, notwithstanding any rule or bye-law specifying the period of notice for a general meeting of the society require the officers of the society to call a general meeting at such time and place at the headquarters of the society or any branch thereof and to determine such matters as may be directed by him, and where the officers of the society refuse or fail to call such a meeting, he shall have power to call it himself ; and
(d) he may in the manner and for the purpose mentioned in clause (c) require to be called or himself call, a meeting of the committee of management.
(4) Any meeting called under clause (c) or clause (d) of sub-section (3) shall have the powers of the general meeting or meeting of the committee of management, as the case may be, under the bye-laws of the society and its proceedings shall be regulated by such bye-laws.
(5) When an inquiry is made under this section, the Registrar shall communicate the result of the inquiry to the society and, in the case of inquiry on an application under clause (a) of sub-section (2), also to the applicant co-operative society.