Section 9 in The Maharashtra Devdasi System (Abolition) Act, 2005
9. Powers, functions and duties of District Committee.
- The powers, functions and duties of the District Committee shall be as follows, namely :-(1)For the purposes of this Act, the Committee shall have,-(a)all the powers of a Civil Court under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908, in respect of the following matters, namely:-(i)summoning and enforcing the attendance of any person and examining him on oath;(ii)requiring the discovery and production of any document;(iii)receiving evidence on affidavits;(iv)requisitioning any public record or copy thereof from any Court or office;(v)issuing Commissions for the examination of witnesses or documents; and(vi)such other matters as may be prescribed.(b)the power to carry out or empower search of any premises where a women is or is believed to have been confined, for being dedicated as or on having been dedicated as a Devdasi or where the commission or preparation for the commission of an offence under this Act is or is believed to be going on, and the provisions of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 relating to searches and seizures shall apply, as far as may be, to the searches and seizures under this sub-section.(2)To pass appropriate orders in any matter in respect of any Devdasi being considered by it, regarding the custody and rehabilitation of such Devdasis by fixing the responsiblity in respect of rehabilitation by any person or institution responsible for the commission of the offence of dedication under this Act, independent of the action if any, of prosecution of such offenders initiated or to be initiated under section 11 of the Act.(3)To award in deserving cases, a maintenance allowance, in accordance with Government scheme to avoid destitution and to rehabilitate such Devdasis.(4)To undertake various measures for eradication of the practice of Devdasis, and protection and rehabilitation of the Devdasis in accordance with the Government schemes or schemes of local self Government or any other Government agencies, as may be prescribed.(5)To recommend appointment of an administration for any charitable trust where the Managing Committee of such trust has been found to be guilty, by the Committee of the offence of dedication under this Act, notwithstanding anything contained in any other law for the time being in force, and also for suspension of any member of the trust individually or for the entire Trustee Committee found to be guilty of the commission of any offence under this Act, as the case may be.(6)To pass any order which it deems fit for the fulfillment of the object of this Act.(7)To perform such other functions and duties as may be prescribed.
