POWERS RELATING TO INQUIRIES

1. The State Commission shall, while inquiring into complaints under this Act, have all the powers of a Civil Court trying a suit under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 and in particular, in respect of the following matters, namely:
   • summoning and enforcing the attendance of witnesses and examining them on oath
   • discovery and production of any document
   • receiving evidence on affidavits
   • requisitioning any public record or copy thereof from any Court or office
   • issuing commissions for the examination of witnesses or documents
   • any other matter which may be prescribed
2. The State Commission shall have the power to require any person subject to any privilege which may be claimed under any law for the time being in force, to furnish information on points or matters useful for, or relevant to the subject matter of inquiry
3. The State Commission also has certain other powers to facilitate the process of inquiry undertaken by it
4. The State Commission shall be deemed to be a Civil Court and every proceeding before it shall be deemed to be a judicial proceeding within the meaning of Sec. 193 and Sec 228 and for the purpose of Sec. 196 of the Indian Penal Code