"Any document purporting to be a report, signed by an officer from any Mint, Note Printing Press, Security Printing Press, Forensic Department, Division of Forensic Science Laboratory, Government Examiner of Questioned Documents, or State Examiner of Questioned Documents (as specified by the Central Government by notification), regarding any matter submitted for examination and report in the course of any proceeding under this Code, may be used as evidence in any inquiry, trial, or other proceeding under this Code, even if the officer is not called as a witness.
The Court may, if it deems necessary, summon and examine any such officer regarding the subject matter of the report;
Provided that no such officer shall be summoned to produce any records upon which the report is based.
Without prejudice to the provisions of sections 123 and 124 of the Indian Evidence Act, 1872 (1 of 1872), no such officer shall, except with the permission of the General Manager or the officer in charge of any Mint, Note Printing Press, Security Printing Press, Forensic Department, Forensic Science Laboratory, Government Examiner of Questioned Documents Organisation, or State Examiner of Questioned Documents Organisation, be permitted:
