183.—(1) Where it is expedient that the Armed Forces Council and such other person or bodies as it may appoint or prescribe for that purpose (called in this Part the convening body) should be informed on any matter connected with the Government, discipline, administration or functions of the Singapore Armed Forces or affecting any person subject to military law, the Armed Forces Council or any such body may convene a board of inquiry.
(2) A board of inquiry must inquire and report on the facts relating to any matter referred to it and, if directed by the convening body to do so, express its opinion on any question arising out of any such matter.
Composition
184.—(1) A board of inquiry must consist of one or more persons who are members of the Singapore Armed Forces.
(2) Where a board of inquiry consists of more than one person, the convening body must appoint one of the members to be the Chairperson.
(3) Where a board of inquiry consists of one member only, that member is vested with the powers of the Chairperson.
Powers
185. A board of inquiry may —
(a)
summon any person to give evidence on oath or on affirmation or produce any document or material necessary for the purpose of the inquiry;
(b)
visit any place in order to inquire into any matter which may arise in the course of the inquiry.
Application of section 113 to board of inquiry
186. Section 113 applies, with the necessary modifications, to a board of inquiry convened under this Part.
Evidence and procedure
187. Subject to this Act or any regulations made under this Act, a board of inquiry is not bound by the rules of evidence and may act in any manner that it thinks most expedient.
Admissibility of evidence
188. No statement made in the course of any inquiry and no report of a board of inquiry is admissible as evidence in proceedings before a subordinate military court or a disciplinary officer other than proceedings for an offence under section 49.
Sittings not open to public
189. A board of inquiry must not sit in public and no person is allowed to attend an inquiry or address the board of inquiry except with the permission of the Chairperson or if the convening body so directs.
Person who may be affected by findings
190.—(1) Where it appears to a board of inquiry that any person subject to military law may be adversely affected by its findings, the board must notify the person thereof and give him or her an opportunity to be present at the sittings of the board of inquiry or at such part thereof as the Chairperson of the board may specify.
(2) Any person referred to in subsection (1) is allowed to give evidence and examine witnesses.
Record of proceedings
191.—(1) The Chairperson must record or cause to be recorded in writing the proceedings of the board of inquiry.
(2) The evidence of each witness before the board of inquiry must be read over to the witness and must be signed by the witness.
(3) A record of the proceedings must be signed by the Chairperson and members (if any) and forwarded to the convening body.