Natural justice challenge fails where repeated opportunities were given and no response was filed to the notices.

A challenge to a demand and classification order based solely on alleged denial of personal hearing failed where the record showed repeated opportunities were given during the proceedings and no reply was filed to the notices. In those circumstances, the absence of a separate hearing before the adjudicating authority was not treated as a breach of natural justice. The plea of violation of natural justice was rejected and the appeal was dismissed.

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Issues: Whether the demand and classification order was liable to be set aside for alleged denial of opportunity of hearing and breach of natural justice.

Analysis: The appeal was founded only on the grievance that no personal hearing was granted. The record showed repeated opportunities during the proceedings, and there was no reply to the notices or any explanation for the failure to respond. In the circumstances, the absence of a separate hearing before the adjudicating authority was not treated as a failure of natural justice.

Conclusion: The plea of violation of natural justice was rejected and the appeal was dismissed.

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