Section 48

The Minister may, in any case in which he considers it advisable, order that an inquiry into the cause of any accident be made by any Magistrate or other person designated in such order.

A Magistrate appointed to hold an inquiry under this section shall have all the powers which he would have in holding an inquiry into an offence.

Any other person so appointed shall have and may exercise for the purposes of such inquiry all the statutory and other powers which shall be for the time being vested in and exercisable by a Magistrate for summoning and enforcing the attendance of witnesses, for administering oaths or affirmations to such witnesses and for compelling such witnesses to answer all reasonable and proper questions relative to the matters which are the subject of such inquiry.

The Magistrate or other person holding such inquiry shall submit to the Minister a copy of the proceedings and a report in writing as to the cause or origin of the accident, and shall state whether in his opinion it was caused by design or was the result of accident or of negligence, stating the full particulars of the case and the conclusions at which he has arrived.