Section 18, Civil Aviation Act, 2017 for an effective aviation safety and security

(1) The Director-General shall have power in theperformance of his functions under this Act - 24 25 Power of Powers of Director obtain information. (a) by notice in writing, to require any air operator or any aviation service provider to furnish in such form and manner and within such time as may be specified in the notice, periodical or other information, estimates or returns concerning such matters as may be specified in that notice; (b) to interview any air operator or any aviation service provider and require such operator to furnish such particulars as the Director -General may require; an (c) by notice in writing, to require any air operator or any aviation service provider to complete a form contained in the notice with particulars relating to any matter specified in the notice and to return it in such manner and within such time as may be specified. (2) A notice referred to in subsection (1) - (a) may be served by delivering it to the operator or service provider to whom it is addressed or by sending it by registered post to the last known address of such operator or service provider; (b) shall state that it is served in exercise of the powers conferred by this section and shall include a general statement of the purpose for which the information, estimates, returns or particulars are required. (3) When a request to furnish information, estimates, returns or particulars under this Act is made, the information, estimates, returns or particulars shall be furnished by a person specifically authorised for the purpose by the air operator or service provider concerned. (4) Subject to this section, every air operator or service provider shall, to the best of his knowledge and belief, answer when so required, all questions put to him orally or in writing by the Director-General or an officer of the Authority authorised in that behalf, not later than the date specified in the notice. (5) No return or other commercially sensitive information collected by the Authority under this section shall, be disclosed to any person, unless authorised under subsection (7). (6) The return or other information referred to in subsection (5) may, subject to the directions of the Director-General, be disclosed - (a) to any person if required for the performance of that person's functions under this Act; (b) if required by any law or as evidence in any court of law. (7) An air operator or service provider who - (a) fails to answer a question put to him as required under this Act or furnishes an answer to such a question which is false or misleading in any material respect, knowing the answer to be false or misleading; or (b) wilfully obstructs the Director-General or any officer or employee of the Authority in the performance of any of its functions under this Act, commits an offence and shall be 26 27 No. 7 The Civil Aviation Act 2019No. 7 The Civil Aviation Act 201928 29 liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding 5,000 United States Dollars or equivalent in Leones, or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or to both such fine (8) Any officer or employee of the Authority who, in the course of his performance of any function under this Act - (a) wilfully discloses any return or other information obtained in the course of his performance of such function to a person not authorised to receive that information; (b) uses information obtained in the course of his performance of such function for the purpose of speculating in any stock, bond or other security or any goods or services, before its release is authorised by the Director-General; or (c) otherwise contravenes this section, commits an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding 5,000 United States Dollars or equivalent in Leones, or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or to both such fine