Repealed or not in force · As amended up to 2026-08
24. Power ol Government to appoint Court of Inquiry in cases ol accidents.— (1) When any accident occurs in or about a mine causing loss of life or sorioua bodily injury or when an accidental explosion, ignition, spontaneous heating, outbreak of fire, irruption of water, breakage of ropes, chains or obher ge&T by which men are lowered or raised, or when an accidental overwinding of cages occurs in or about a mine while men arc being lowered or raised, the Central Government may, if it is of opinion that a formal inquiry into ,the causes of and circumstances attending the accident ought to be held, appoint a competent person to hold such inquiry and may also appoint any person or persons possessing legal or special knowledge to act as assessor or assessors in holding the inquiry.
(2) The person appointed to bold any such inquiry shall have all the powers of a civil court uirlcr the Code of Civil Procedure, 190P (Act V of 190R|, for the purpose of enforcing the attendance of witnesses and eonipellinf: the production of documents &nd material objects; and every person required by such
'BBO. 1] THE GAZETTE OF INDIA EXT&AOEDINARY
kperson as aforesaid to furnish any information shall be deemed to be legally 'bound to do so within the meaning of section 170 of the Indian Penal Code (Act XLV of 1860).
(3) Any person holding an inquiry under this section may exercise such of the powers of an Inspector under this Act aa he may think it neeoesary or expedient to exercise for the purposes of the inquiry.
(4) The person holding an inquiry under this section shall mako a report tothe Cenirul Governi mud, stating ihe causes of the accident and its circumstances, and addirg nny observations which he or any of the assessors mt.y think fit to make.
Source: India Code