Proceedings before Inquiry Officer

On receipt of the written statement of defence, or if no such statement is received within the time specified, the Inquiry Officer shall inquire into such of the charges as are not admitted. (2) The Inquiry Officer shall, in the course of the inquiry, consider such documentary evidence and take such oral evidence as may be relevant or material in regard to the charges. The authorised income-tax practitioner shall be entitled to cross-examine witnesses examined in support of the charges and to give evidence in person. If the Inquiry Officer declines to examine any witness on the ground that his evidence is not relevant or material, he shall record his reasons in writing. (3) At the conclusion of the inquiry, the Inquiry Officer shall prepare a report of the inquiry, recording his findings on each of the charges together with the reasons therefor.