Section 20. Power of Adjudicating Officer and the Appellate Authorities in relation to holding inquiry under this Act.

20. Power of Adjudicating Officer and the 1[Appellate Authorities] in relation to holding inquiry under this Act.- (1) The Adjudication Officer and the 2[Appellate Authorities] shall, while holding an inquiry, have all the powers of a Civil Court under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 (V of 1908), while trying a suit, in respect of the following matters, namely :- (a) summoning and enforcing the attendance of witnesses and examining them on oath ; (b) requiring the discovery and production of any document ; (c) receiving evidence on affidavits ; (d) requisitioning any public record or copy thereof from any Court or office ; (e) issuing commissions for the examination of witnesses or documents ; (f) any other matter which may be prescribed. (2) The Adjudicating Officer or the 3[Appellate Authorities] shall, while exercising any power under this Act, be deemed to be a Civil Court for the purposes of sections 345 and 346 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (II of 1974).