Natural justice can justify writ relief against an externment order despite an available statutory appeal.

Availability of an alternative statutory appeal did not bar writ jurisdiction where the externment order was vitiated by breach of natural justice. The petitioner had sought time to place acquittal orders on record, but no adequate opportunity was granted before the order was passed. The record also did not show examination of local witnesses to support the apprehension that the petitioner's presence created fear or deterred access to police. On these facts, the refusal of sufficient hearing justified writ intervention, and the externment order was held unsustainable.

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Issues: Whether the writ petition was maintainable despite the availability of an appellate remedy, and whether the externment order was liable to be quashed for violation of the principles of natural justice.

Analysis: The petitioner had sought time to place on record acquittal orders in the pending criminal cases, but no adequate opportunity was granted before the externment order was passed. The record also did not show examination of local witnesses to support the apprehension that the petitioner's presence created fear or deterred persons from approaching the police. In these circumstances, the Court held that the refusal of sufficient opportunity caused violation of natural justice, and that such violation justified exercise of writ jurisdiction notwithstanding the alternative remedy of appeal.

Conclusion: The writ petition was maintainable, and the externment order was unsustainable for breach of natural justice.

Ratio Decidendi: Availability of an alternative statutory remedy does not bar writ jurisdiction where the impugned order is vitiated by violation of the principles of natural justice.

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