Section 32: Inquiry into affairs and conduct of association

32. Inquiry into affairs and conduct of association (1) The Registrar— (a) may, if he has reasonable ground to believe that any condition specified in section 15 (1) exists in relation to a registered association; and (b) shall, upon the written application of— (i) one tenth of the members of a large association; or (ii) one fifth of the members of an association other than a large association, call for all accounts and documents relating to the association, and institute an inquiry into the affairs and conduct of the association. (2) The Registrar may summon witnesses and examine them on oath. (3) Any person summoned to attend as a witness or to produce any document before the Registrar shall be bound to obey the summons in the same manner as a witness is bound to obey a summons issued by the Supreme Court. R16 – 17 [Issue 10] Registration of Associations Act (4) Any person who— (a) refuses or omits to attend at the time and place mentioned in a summons; (b) refuses to be sworn or give evidence; or (c) fails to produce any document in his possession or under his control, shall commit an offence. (5) No evidence given before the Registrar shall— (a) give rise to any civil or criminal proceedings, other than a prosecution for perjury, against any person giving such evidence; or (b) be admissible against any person in any civil or criminal proceedings, except in the case of a witness who may be accused of having given false evidence before the Registrar conducting an inquiry under this Act. (6) Any person who gives false evidence before the Registrar shall commit an offence and shall, on conviction, be liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months. (7) Every enactment relating to witnesses and evidence shall, subject to the other provisions of this Act, be applicable to every witness appearing, and to evidence given, before the Registrar. (8) At the conclusion of the inquiry, the Registrar shall, subject to subsection (9), draw up and forward a report of his findings, together with his recommendations, to the Minister who may make such order in the matter as he thinks fit. (9) Where at the conclusion of an inquiry the Registrar is of opinion that the registration of an association should be cancelled, he shall comply with section 15.