Bias and pre-judgment allegations in adjudication required verification before stay consideration, with no merits decision made.

Allegations that the adjudicating authority had pre-determined the order and breached natural justice were treated as serious because, if substantiated, they could vitiate the proceedings. As no supporting material was on record, the appellant was directed to file an affidavit setting out the basis for the allegation, and the adjudicating authority was directed to respond only to that issue. No final adjudication on the merits was made, and the matter was adjourned for further consideration.

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Issues: Whether the allegation that the adjudicating authority had pre-determined the order and thereby violated the principles of natural justice required further verification before consideration of the stay petition.

Analysis: The allegations of bias and pre-judgment were treated as serious and, if established, capable of amounting to a breach of natural justice. As no supporting material had been placed on record for the allegation, the appellant was directed to file an affidavit stating the basis for making it, and the adjudicating authority was directed to file a reply confined to that allegation.

Outcome: No final adjudication on the merits of the dispute was made. The matter was adjourned for further consideration.

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