Exercise of powers of Civil Court

(1) Subject to the provisions of this section, for the purpose of any preliminary inquiry and investigation, the Lokayukta shall have all the powers of a civil court, under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908, in respect of the following matters, namely:— (i) summoning and enforcing the attendance of any person and examining him on oath; (ii) requiring the discovery and production of any document or article (iii) receiving evidence on affidavits; (iv) requisitioning any public record or copy thereof from any court or office; (v) issueing commissions for the examination of witnesses or documents/ articles Provided that such commission, in case of a witness, shall be issued only where the witness, in the opinion of the Lokayukta, is not in a position to attend the proceeding before the Lokayukta; and (vi) such other matters as may be prescribed. (2) Any proceeding before the Lokayukta shall be deemed to be a judicial proceeding within the meaning of section 193 of the Indian Penal Code ( Act 45 of 1860).