18. Powers of authorities appointed under section 15.-Every authority appointed under sub-section (1) of section 15 shall have all the powers of a Civil Court under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 (5 of 1908), for the purpose of taking evidence and of enforcing the attendance of witnesses and compelling the production of documents, and every such authority shall be deemed to be a Civil Court for all the purposes of section 195 and of [Chapter XXVI of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (2 of 1974).]
