Power of the prescribed authority

The prescribed authority shall have the powers which are vested in a court under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 (5 of 1908), when trying a suit in respect of the following matters:- (a) discovery and inspection; (b) enforcing the attendance of witnesses and requiring the deposit of their expenses; (c) compelling the production of documents; (d) examining witnesses on oath; (e) granting adjournments; (f) reception of evidence taken on affidavit; and (g) issuing commissions for the examination of witnesses; and may summon and examine suo moto any person whose evidence appears to it to be material; and shall be deemed to be a civil court within the meaning of sections 480 and 482 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898 (5 of 1898). Explanation,- For the purpose of enforcing the attendance of witnesses, the local limits of the jurisdiction of the prescribed authority shall be the limits of the State of Himachal Pradesh.