(1) Every Revenue Officer not lower in rank than a Tahsildar or an 1[Assistant Director of Land Records]1 in their respective departments, shall have the power to take evidence on oath and to summon any person whose attendance he considers necessary, either to be examined as a party, or to give evidence as a witness, or to produce documents, for the purpose of any inquiry which such officer is legally empowered to make.
(2) Any person summoned under sub-section (1) shall be bound to attend either in person or by an authorised agent as directed in the summons:
Provided that exemptions under sections 132 and 133 of the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908, shall be applicable to requisitions for attendance under this section.
(3) Ever person summoned under sub-section (1) either to be examined as a party or to give evidence as a witness shall be bound,—
(i) to state the truth upon any subject respecting which he is examined or makes a statement; and
(ii) to produce such documents as may be required.
(4) Any person summoned merely to produce a document shall be deemed to have complied with the summons by causing the production of such document instead of attending personally to produce the same.