Rule 7 Manner of inquiry into complaint
(1) Subject to the provisions of section 11, at the time of filing the complaintDefined in rule 2(b): the complaint made under section 9 of the Act., the complainant shall submit to the Complaints CommitteeDefined in rule 2(c): the Internal Committee or the Local Committee, as the case may be., six copies of the complaintDefined in rule 2(b): the complaint made under section 9 of the Act. along with supporting documents and the names and addresses of the witnesses.
(2) On receipt of the complaintDefined in rule 2(b): the complaint made under section 9 of the Act., the Complaints CommitteeDefined in rule 2(c): the Internal Committee or the Local Committee, as the case may be. shall send one of the copies received from the aggrieved woman under sub-rule (1) to the respondent within a period of seven working days.
(3) The respondent shall file his reply to the complaintDefined in rule 2(b): the complaint made under section 9 of the Act. along with his list of documents, and names and addresses of witnesses, within a period not exceeding ten working days from the date of receipt of the documents specified under sub-rule (1).
(4) The Complaints CommitteeDefined in rule 2(c): the Internal Committee or the Local Committee, as the case may be. shall make inquiry into the complaintDefined in rule 2(b): the complaint made under section 9 of the Act. in accordance with the principles of natural justice.
(5) The Complaints CommitteeDefined in rule 2(c): the Internal Committee or the Local Committee, as the case may be. shall have the right to terminate the inquiry proceedings or to give an ex-parte decision on the complaintDefined in rule 2(b): the complaint made under section 9 of the Act., if the complainant or respondent fails, without sufficient cause, to present herself or himself for three consecutive hearings convened by the Chairperson or Presiding Officer, as the case may be:
Provided that such termination or ex-parte order may not be passed without giving a notice in writing, fifteen days in advance, to the party concerned.
(6) The parties shall not be allowed to bring in any legal practitioner to represent them in their case at any stage of the proceedings before the Complaints CommitteeDefined in rule 2(c): the Internal Committee or the Local Committee, as the case may be..
(7) In conducting the inquiry, a minimum of three Members of the Complaints CommitteeDefined in rule 2(c): the Internal Committee or the Local Committee, as the case may be. including the Presiding Officer or the Chairperson, as the case may be, shall be present.