Powers of the adjudicating officer and the Appellate Board.

(1) The adjudicating officer and the Appellate Board shall have all the powers of a civil court under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908, while trying a suit in respect of the following matters, namely:- (a) summoning and enforcing the attendance of witnesses; (b) requiring the discovery and production of any document; (c) requisitioning any public record or copy thereof from any court or office; (d) receiving evidence on affidavits; and (e) issuing commissions for the examination of witnesses or documents; (f) any other matter as may be prescribed. (2) The adjudicating officer and the Appellate Board, while exercising any power under this Regulation, shall be deemed to be civil courts for the purposes of sections 345 and 346 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973. (3) The Appellate Board shall not be bound by the procedure laid down in the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908, but shall be guided by the principles of natural justice and subject to the other provisions of this Regulation and the rules made by the Administrator, the Appellate Board shall regulate its own procedure.