On 25/05/2013,
you requested for the version in force on 25/05/2013
incorporating all amendments published on or before 25/05/2013.
The closest version currently available is that of 31/01/2006.
PART IV
COMMITTEES OF INQUIRY
44.
—(1) Where it is expedient that the Minister, or such other person as the Minister may appoint to exercise the powers conferred upon the Minister by this Part, should be informed on any matter connected with the discipline, administration or functions of the Police Force or affecting any person subject to Part VIII or IX, the Minister or the person appointed by the Minister may convene a committee of inquiry.
(2) A committee of inquiry shall inquire into and report on the facts relating to any matter referred to it and, if directed by the Minister to do so, express its opinion on any question arising out of any such matter.
(3) In this Part, “Minister” includes the person appointed by the Minister under subsection (1) to act on his behalf for the purposes of this Part.
45.
—(1) A committee of inquiry shall consist of one or more persons who shall be appointed by the Minister.
(2) Where a committee of inquiry consists of more than one person, the Minister shall appoint one of the members to be the chairman.
(3) Where a committee of inquiry consists of one member only, he shall be vested with the powers of a chairman.
(4) Every member of a committee of inquiry appointed under this section shall be deemed to be a public servant within the meaning of the Penal Code (Cap. 224).
46. A committee of inquiry may —
(a)
summon any person to give evidence on oath or on affirmation, or to produce any document or material, necessary for the purpose of the inquiry; and
(b)
visit any place in order to inquire into any matter which may arise in the course of the inquiry.
47.
—(1) A person who is summoned to give evidence before a committee of inquiry shall not, without lawful excuse, fail to appear in obedience to the summons.
(2) A person who is required by a committee of inquiry to produce any document or material for the purpose of the inquiry shall not, without lawful excuse, fail to produce the document or material.
(3) Any person who contravenes subsection (1) or (2) shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $2,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or to both.
48.
—(1) A person who appears before a committee of inquiry shall not, without lawful excuse, refuse to be sworn or to make an affirmation, or to produce any document or material, or to answer any question, which he is lawfully required to produce or answer.
(2) Any person who contravenes subsection (1) shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $2,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or to both.
49. Every person who wilfully gives false evidence when examined on oath or on affirmation before a committee of inquiry shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $10,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 7 years or to both.
50. Except as otherwise provided in this Act, a committee of inquiry shall not be bound by the rules of evidence and may act in such manner as the committee of inquiry thinks most expedient.
51. No statement made in the course of any inquiry and no report of a committee of inquiry shall be admissible as evidence in any proceedings other than proceedings, whether criminal or disciplinary, for an offence of giving or fabricating false evidence under any written law.
53.
—(1) Where it appears to a committee of inquiry that the Commissioner, any police officer or witness may be adversely affected by its findings, the committee shall notify him and give him an opportunity to be present at the proceedings of the committee of inquiry or at such part thereof as the chairman may specify.
(2) The person notified under subsection (1) shall be allowed to give evidence and examine any witness.
54.
—(1) The chairman shall record or cause to be recorded in writing the proceedings of the committee of inquiry.
(2) The evidence of each witness before a committee of inquiry shall be read over to him and shall be signed by him.
(3) A record of the proceedings of a committee of inquiry shall be signed by the chairman and the members of the committee, if any, and forwarded to the Minister.
(4) The record of proceedings of a committee of inquiry, or any part thereof, or any information relating thereto shall be kept confidential and shall not be released to any person, other than a member of the committee, without the written permission of the Minister.
55. Every person who, otherwise than in the course of duty, directly or indirectly, by himself or by any other person in any manner whatsoever influences or attempts to influence any decision of a committee of inquiry or any member of a committee of inquiry shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $2,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or to both.