Powers of the authorized officer

While trying the following matters, the authorized officer shall have the powers vested in a court under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908: (a) discovery and inspection; (b) summoning witnesses and requiring the deposit of their expenses; (c) compelling the production of documents; (d) examination of witnesses on oath; (e) granting adjournments; (f) receiving evidence taken on affidavit; (g) issuing commissions for the examination of witnesses; and may, of his own motion, summon and examine any person whose evidence appears material and he shall be deemed a civil court within the meaning of section 345 and 346 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973. Explanation: For the purpose of summoning witnesses, the local limit of the jurisdiction of the authorized officer shall be the limits of the State of Himachal Pradesh.