(1) The appropriate Government may, by notification, appoint such persons as it may think fit to be Inspectors for the purpose of making an investigation as to whether the provisions of this Act, or the rules made thereunder, are being complied with by employers, and may define the local limits within which an Inspector may make such investigation.
(2) Every Inspector shall be deemed to be a public servant within the meaning of section 21 of the Indian Penal Code (45 of 1860).
(3) An Inspector may, at any place within the local limits of his jurisdiction,—
(a) enter, at any reasonable time, with such assistance as he thinks fit, any building, factory, premises or vessel;
(b) require any employer to produce any register, muster-roll or other documents relating to the employment of workers, and examine such documents;
(c) take, on the spot or otherwise, the evidence of any person for the purpose of ascertaining whether the provisions of this Act are being, or have been, complied with;
(d) examine the employer, his agent or servant or any other person found in charge of the establishment or any premises connected therewith or any person whom the Inspector has reasonable cause to believe to be, or to have been a worker in the establishment;
(e) make copies, or take extracts from, any register or other document maintained in relation to the establishment under this Act.
(4) Any person required by an Inspector to produce any register or other document or to give any information shall comply with such requisition.