PART VIII

ENFORCEMENT AND INVESTIGATION

29.    Investigation and proceedings by the Commission.-(1) The Commission may suo motu conduct investigations in respect of any matter that is an offence under this Act.

(2)    The Commission may appoint such number of investigating officers to be known as investigating officers of the Commission as it considers necessary for the purposes of carrying out investigation of any offence or inspection under this Act, the Ordinance or any other law in respect of which it has been empowered to exercise the powers of the Authority and such investigating officer shall have all the powers given to any person for the purposes of carrying out investigation of any offence under this Act, the Ordinance and any other law.

30.    Powers of the investigating officers of the Commission.-  (1) An investigating officer carrying out an investigation or inspection may, only after the written order of the Commission signed by any two Commissioners, enter any place or building -

(a)   to inspect and make copies of or take extracts from any book, minute book, register or document; and

(b)   where he has reason to believe that an offence has been committed under this Act or the Ordinance or any other law in respect of which the Commission has power to make investigation or inspection, to search for, seize, take possession of and detain any object, article, material, thing, accounts book or other document, including any travel or other personal document which may be used as evidence.

(2)   When an order has been made under sub-section (1) an investigating officer of the Commission may, by notice in writing, require any person to produce before him such books, registers or documents as are in the custody or under the control of that person.

(3)   A person who -

(a)   fails deliberately to produce any such books, registers or documents as are required by the Commission or an investigating officer; or

(b)   obstructs or hinders an investigating officer while exercising any of the powers under this section;

shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine which may extend to one million rupees or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding one month, or to both.

(4)   Any accounts, book or other document seized and taken possession of by the investigating officer of the Commission under sub-section (1) may be inspected by any person if such person is entitled to inspect such accounts, book or document under this Act, and if so authorized to do in writing by the Commission.

(5)   Sub-section (1) shall not be construed as limiting or affecting any similar powers conferred on any person under any other law.

(6)   Any person aggrieved by the conduct of an investigating officer may lodge a complaint in respect thereof to the Commission.

(7)   The Commission shall, within fifteen days of receipt of the complaint under sub-section (6) commence a hearing to determine the veracity of such complaint in accordance with such procedure as may be prescribed by rules made by the Federal Government.

31.   Forcible entry.- (1) For the purpose of exercising his powers under sub-sections (1) and (2) of section 30, an investigating officer of the Commission may enter any place or building by force, if necessary.

(2)   Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1), no investigating officer of the Commission shall enter any premises by the use of force without a written order of the Commission signed by any two Commissioners.

(3)   If, on enquiry conducted in accordance with the rules it is found that the exercise by an investigating officer of his power under sub-section (2) was vexatious, excessive or with mala fide intent such officer shall be dismissed from service, and shall be guilty of an offence punishable with fine which may extend to five hundred thousand rupees and imprisonment for a term not exceeding one year.

(4)   Whenever a criminal court imposes a fine under sub-section (3) it shall, when passing judgment, order that a sum equal to the whole or any part of the fine recovered, be paid to the person on whose complaint the investigating officer was convicted, and in case the fine is not recovered the sum shall be paid out of the Fund.

(5)   Any sum paid under sub-section (4) shall be without prejudice to the right of the aggrieved person to avail any other remedies available to him under the law but at the time of awarding compensation in any subsequent proceedings relating to the same matter the court shall take into account any sum recovered from the convict and paid to the aggrieved person.

32.  Power to call for examination.- (1) For the purpose of sub-section (1) of section 29, the Commission may by notice in writing require any person acquainted with the facts and circumstances of the case to appear before an investigating officer authorized by it in this regard.  Such person shall be examined orally and any statement made by such person during the course of the examination shall be reduced into writing.

(2)   Such person shall be bound to answer all questions relating to such case put to him by the investigating officer, as the case may be, and to state the truth, whether or not the statement is made wholly or partly in answer to questions.

(3)   Subject to sub-section (4), a statement made by any person under this section shall be taken down in writing and signed by the person making it or affixed with his signature and thumb print, as the case may be, after it has been read to him and after he had been given an opportunity to make any correction he may wish.

(4)   Where the person examined refuses to sign and affix his thumb print on the statement, the investigating officer of the Commission shall endorse thereon under his hand the fact of such refusal and the reason therefor, if any, stated by the person examined.

(5)   Any person who:-

(a)   fails to appear before an investigating officer of the Commission as required under sub-section (1);

(b)   refuses to answer any question put to him by an investigating officer of the Commission as required under sub-section (2); or

(c)   knowingly furnishes to an investigating officer of the Commission information or statement that is false or misleading in any material particular;

(d)   wilfully refuses to obey or disregards any lawful order of the Commission;

shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding one hundred thousand rupees or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding one year, or to both.

33.    Appeal to the Appellate Bench of the Commission.- (1) An appeal shall lie to an Appellate Bench of the Commission in respect of an order of the Commission made by one Commissioner. The person aggrieved by such order may within thirty days of the passing of the order prefer an appeal to the Appellate Bench of the Commission.

(2)    The Commission shall constitute an Appellate Bench of the Commission comprising not less than two Commissioners to hear appeals under sub-section (1).

(3)    If any Commissioner who is included in the Appellate Bench has participated or been concerned in the decision being appealed against the Chairman shall nominate an other Commissioner to sit in the Bench to hear that appeal.

(4)    The form in which an appeal is to be filed and the fees to be paid therefor and other related matters shall be prescribed by rules.

34.    Appeal to the Court.- (1) An appeal shall lie to the Court referred to in Part II of the Ordinance in respect of an order of the Commission comprising two or more Commissioners or the Appellate Bench.

(2)    The appeal under sub-section (1) shall be filed within sixty days of the date of the decision and shall by accompanied by a fee of one hundred rupees.