Power to take evidence on oath, etc.

The Director and the Settlement Officer shall, for the purposes of this Act, have the same powers as are vested in a Court under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 (5 of 1908) while trying a suit, 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 document;

(iii) receiving evidence on affidavit;

(iv) issuing commissions for the examination of witnesses or for local investigation;

and any proceeding before the Director or the Settlement Officer shall be deemed to be a judicial proceeding within the meaning of sections 193 and 228 of the Indian Penal Code (45 of 1860) and for the purposes of section 196, of the said Code.