Natural justice breach in ex parte adjudication led to setting aside of the order and remand for fresh hearing.

Ex parte adjudication without supplying relied upon documents and without granting a reasonable opportunity of hearing was treated as a clear breach of natural justice. The failure to disclose the documents requested by the appellants and the denial of hearing justified interference at the stay stage. The impugned order was set aside and the matter was remanded for de novo adjudication after supply of the relied upon documents and fresh hearing.

---

---

Issues: Whether the ex parte adjudication order was liable to be set aside for violation of principles of natural justice and the matter remanded for fresh adjudication after supply of relied upon documents and grant of hearing.

Analysis: The appellants had not been afforded a reasonable opportunity of hearing, and the relied upon documents had not been supplied despite requests. The absence of hearing and disclosure of documents amounted to a clear breach of natural justice, warranting interference at the stay stage itself.

Conclusion: The impugned order was set aside and the appeals were remanded to the adjudicating authority for de novo adjudication after affording reasonable opportunity of hearing and supplying the relied upon documents.

---