The Displaced Persons (Compensation and Rehabilitation) Act,1954
Section 26. Power of officers appointed under this Act etc
(2) Every Officer appointed under this Act shall for the purpose of making any inquiry or hearing any appeal under this Act have the same powers as are vested in a Civil Court under the Code of Civil Procedure,1908 (Act V of 1908) when trying a suit, in respect of the following matters, namely :-
(a) summoning and enforcing the attendance of any person and examining him on oath;
(b) requiring the discovery and production of any document;
(c) requisitioning any public record from any court or office;
(d) issuing commission for examination of witnesses;
(e) appointing guardians or next friends of person who are minors or of unsound mind;
(f)any other matter which may be prescribed;
and any proceeding before any such officer shall be deemed to be a judicial proceeding within the meaning of sections 193 and 228 of the Indian Penal Code (Act XLV of 1860) and every such officer shall be deemed to be a Civil Court within the meaning of Sections 480 and 481 of the Code of Criminal Procedure,1898 (Act V of 1898).
(1A) Every officer appointed under this Act may for the purpose of making an inquiry under this Act and generally for the purpose of enabling him satisfactorily to discharge any of the duties imposed on him by or under this Act, require any person to submit to him such accounts, books or other documents or to furnish to him such information relating to any evacuee property acquired under this Act as he may reasonably think necessary.
(2) The Chief Settlement Commissioner or any other officer hearing an appeal under this Act shall subject to the provisions of this Act, have such further powers as are vested in a civil court under the Code of Civl Procedure,1908 (Act V of 1908) when hearing an appeal.
Section ” 26-SYNOPSIS
Scope
COMMENTARY
1.Scope– (1)Scope of Where the Chief Settlement Commissioner wants to accept a reference made by the Managing Officer it is necessary to hear the persons likely to be affected. The persons affected should be given notice of the date to which the case stands adjourned. 1961 PLR 160.
2.Section 148 of the Code of Civil Procedure is not applicable to proceedings under the Act. 1972 PLR 749.
In a suit for declaration filed by a person claiming to be a claimant under the Displaced Persons (Compensation & Rehabilitation) Act, it was held that the conclusion of the Courts below should not be interfered within a second appeal unless it is shown that the decision is tainted with any illegality. AIR 1970 Delhi 85.
The Displaced Persons (Compensation and Rehabilitation) Act,1954