Pre-deposit condition for appeal upheld as just and reasonable; challenge to the deposit amount failed.

The only substantive issue was whether the pre-deposit condition of Rs. 5 lakhs for hearing the appeal was excessive or unreasonable. On the facts and circumstances presented, the Court treated the Tribunal's direction as just and reasonable and found no basis to reduce the amount. The pre-deposit requirement was therefore upheld, and the challenge to that condition failed.

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Issues: Whether the condition requiring pre-deposit of Rs. 5 lakhs for hearing of the appeal was excessive or unreasonable.

Analysis: The only substantive controversy was the quantum of pre-deposit imposed as a condition precedent for hearing the appeal. On the facts and circumstances placed before it, the Court found the Tribunal's direction to deposit Rs. 5 lakhs to be just and reasonable and saw no basis to reduce the amount.

Conclusion: The pre-deposit condition was upheld and no relief was granted on that challenge.

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