Section 3(b) in The U.P. Departmental Inquiries (Enforcement of Attendance of Witnesses and Production of Documents) Act, 1976
(b)"inquiring authority" means any officer or authority who is empowered by or under any law or rule for the time being in force to hold a departmental inquiry, and includes an officer or authority to whom the power to hold such inquiry is delegated by the Competent Authority;
