(1) The Board shall function as a digital office and adopt such techno-legal measures as may be prescribed to ensure that the receipt, processing and disposal of complaints, inquiries and other proceedings are conducted in a digital manner.
(2) Upon receiving an intimation, complaint, reference or direction under section 27, the Board shall determine whether there are sufficient grounds to proceed with an inquiry, and where it is of the opinion that there are no sufficient grounds, it may close such proceedings for reasons to be recorded in writing.
(3) The Board shall, while conducting an inquiry, follow such procedure as may be prescribed, and shall have the same powers as are vested in a civil court under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908, while trying a suit, in respect of the following matters, namely:—
- summoning and enforcing the attendance of any person and examining him on oath;
- requiring the discovery and production of documents; and
- receiving evidence on affidavits.
(4) Every proceeding before the Board shall be deemed to be a judicial proceeding within the meaning of sections 193 and 228 of the Indian Penal Code, and the Board shall be deemed to be a civil court for the purposes of section 195 and Chapter XXVI of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973.
(5) The Board shall not be bound by the procedure laid down in the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908, but shall be guided by the principles of natural justice.