Settlement Officer (Consolidation) to summon persons

(1) A Consolidation Officer or a Settlement Officer (Consolidation) may summon any person whose attendance he considers necessary for the purpose of any business before him under this Act. (2) A person so summoned shall be bound to appear at the time and place mentioned in the summons in person or if the summons so allows, by his recognised agent or a legal practitioner. (3) If a person summoned under sub-section (1), fails, without lawful cause, to attend or to produce any document or other thing which he may be required to produce, he shall be liable, at the discretion of the Consolidation Officer or Settlement Officer (Consolidation), as the case may be, to a fine which may extend to fifty rupees: Provided that no such fine shall be imposed on a person unless he was summoned to attend or required to produce any document or other thing within the limits of the estate in which he ordinarily resides, holds or cultivates land.