Section 21 in The Chhattisgarh Gram Nyayalaya Adhiniyam, 1996
21. Rules of procedure and powers of the Gram Nyayalaya.
(1)The State Government may make rules for regulating the practice and procedure of the Gram Nyayalaya.(2)The Gram Nyayalaya, in the performance of its functions shall have all the powers of a Court while trying a civil, revenue or criminal case in respect of the following matters, namely :-(a)summoning and enforcing the attendance of witnesses;(b)requiring the production of any document;(c)requisitioning any public record from any Court or office.(3)The Gram Nyayalaya shall have power to require any person to furnish information on such points or matters as in the opinion of the Gram Nyayalaya may be useful for or relevant to, any matter under the consideration of the Gram Nyayalaya.(4)Notwithstanding anything contained in any other law for the time being in force, in the trial of any civil, revenue or criminal proceeding before it, the Gram Nyayalaya shall in general, be guided by the principles of natural justice, that is to say :-(a)if a claim is made against any person or if any person is accused of any offence, that person shall be informed as soon as may be of the claim or the grounds of accusation as the case may be;(b)every such person shall be given a reasonable opportunity of being heard in the matter before any decision is arrived at.(5)In particular, a Gram Nyayalaya shall in the trial of a case follow the procedure laid down in this Act, and the rules made thereunder.
