Procedure and powers at enquiries under this Act

(1) Where a Commissioner, Additional Commissioner or Regional Joint Commissioner, Deputy Commissioner or Assistant Commissioner makes an enquiry or hears an appeal under this Act, the enquiry shall be made and the appeal shall be heard as nearly as may be, in accordance with the procedure applicable under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 (Central Act V of 1908) to the trial of suits or the hearing of appeals, as the case may be. (2) The provisions of the Indian Evidence Act, 1872 (Central Act 1 of 1872) and the Indian Oaths Act, 1969 (Central Act 44 of 1969) shall, so far as may be, apply to such inquiries and appeals. (3) The Commissioner, Additional Commissioner or Joint Commissioner, Regional Joint Commissioner, Deputy Commissioner or Assistant Commissioner holding such an inquiry or hearing such an appeal shall be deemed to be a person acting judicially within the meaning of the Judicial Officer's Protection Act, 1850 (Central Act 18 of 1850).