Verification of statutory forms in appeal is an administrative aid, not unlawful interference with appellate quasi-judicial powers.

A circular directing verification of the genuineness of statutory forms produced for the first time in appeal was treated as an administrative aid, not as interference with the appellate authority's quasi-judicial function. The appellate authority remained free to decide the appeal independently, but if it relied on adverse verification material it had to give the appellant notice before rejecting the claim, consistent with natural justice. Because the challenge was only to the circular itself and not to any unfair use of verification material in a pending appeal, there was no basis to interfere and the writ petitions were dismissed.

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Issues: Whether the circular directing verification of the genuineness of statutory forms produced for the first time in appeal interfered with the quasi-judicial powers of the appellate authority and was liable to be quashed.

Analysis: The circular was issued in the context of suspected false claims supported by fake or forged documents and only required verification of the genuineness of forms such as C, F, E and H through an external source with technical expertise. Such verification was treated as an administrative aid and not as a direct control over appellate adjudication. The appellate authority remained free to decide the appeal independently, but if it intended to act on adverse verification material, it had to place the appellant on notice before rejecting the claim. As the grievance was only against the circular itself and not against any unfair use of verification material in the pending appeal, there was no ground to interfere.

Conclusion: The circular was held not to be invalid or an interference with the appellate authority's quasi-judicial powers, and the writ petitions were dismissed.

Ratio Decidendi: A circular requiring verification of the genuineness of documents produced for the first time in appeal does not, by itself, amount to unlawful interference with quasi-judicial appellate functions, provided the appellate authority independently considers the matter and complies with natural justice before acting on any adverse verification.

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