Powers of Competent Authority while conducting an inquiry

For the purpose of any inquiry conducted under this Act on declaration, objection, intimation, complaint or suo-moto, the powers of the Competent Authority shall be in addition to, and not in derogation of, the powers of the police authority under the provisions of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (No. 46 of 2023) for any offence committed under this Act.

The Competent Authority for the purpose of inquiry shall have all the powers vested in a civil court under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 (No. 5 of 1908), during inquiry in respect of the following matters, namely:-

1. (a) summoning and enforcing the attendance of witnesses and examining them on oath;
2. (b) discovery and