Press Council Act, 1978
15.General powers of the Council.-
(1) For the purpose of performing its
functions or holding any inquiry under this Act, the council shall have the
same powers throughout Indies are vested in a civil court while trying a suit
under the code of civil Procedure 1908 (5 of 1908) in respect of the following
matters, namely:-
(a) summoning and
enforcing the attendance of persons and examining them on oath;
(b) requiring the
discovery and inspection of documents;
(c) receiving evidence
on affidavits;
(d) requisitioning any
public record or copies thereof from any court or office;
(e) issuing
commissions for the examination of witness or documents; and
(f) any other matter
which may be prescribed.
(2) Nothing in sub-section (1) shall be deemed
to compel any newspaper news agency editor or journalist to disclose the source
of any news ore information published by that newspaper or received or reported
be that news agency editor or journalist.
(3) Every inquiry held by the council shall be
deemed to be a judicial proceeding within the meaning of sections 193 and 228
of the Indian Penal Code (45 of 1860).
(4) The council may, it if considers
Ir.necessary for the purpose of carrying out its objects or for the performance
of any of its function under this Act, make such observation as it may think,
fir, in any of its decisions or reports, respecting the conduct of any
authority, including government.