If the contempt is committed before a committee when the Legislature is not in session, the superior court in and for the county in which any inquiry, investigation, hearing or proceeding may be held by the committee may compel the attendance of the witness, the giving of testimony, and the production of books, papers, documents and accounts, as required by the subpena issued by the committee, on the filing by the committee of a petition to the court asking that the witness be so compelled.