Statutory remedy first in import licence disputes, with licensing and appeal issues left to the competent authorities.

Where disputed issues arose over suspension of an import licence, rejection of permission to import ammonium nitrate, and seizure of goods, the Court treated the matter as one for the statutory authorities in the first instance. It noted that alleged rule violations, entitlement to move the goods, and the effect of the show cause notice were for the Chief Controller of Explosives to examine, and that an appeal lay to the Central Government against rejection of the licence application. The parties were directed to pursue those remedies with notice and hearing, and the writ appeals were not entertained on merits.

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Issues: Whether the writ appeals challenging the rejection of the import licence and suspension of the existing licence should be entertained, or the appellants should be relegated to the statutory remedies before the competent authority and the appellate authority.

Analysis: The dispute concerned the suspension of the licence, rejection of the application for permission to import ammonium nitrate, and the seizure of the goods at the port. The Court noted that questions relating to alleged violation of the rules, entitlement to move the goods, and the effect of the show cause notice were matters for the Chief Controller of Explosives to examine in the first instance. It also noted that an appeal remedy was available to the Central Government against the rejection of the P5 licence application. The Court directed the appellant to move the competent authority and require both the application and any appeal to be decided after giving an opportunity of hearing and without being influenced by the earlier single-judge order.

Conclusion: The writ appeals were not entertained on merits and the appellant was relegated to the statutory remedies before the competent authority and the appellate authority.

Final Conclusion: The judgment left the substantive disputes open for determination by the statutory authorities, while ensuring prompt consideration with notice and hearing.

Ratio Decidendi: Where an effective statutory remedy exists for the adjudication of disputed regulatory issues, the Court may decline to decide the merits in writ appeal and direct the party to pursue the prescribed remedy with due opportunity of hearing.

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