Customs House Agent licence suspension requires recorded grave urgency and fair hearing before further action.

Suspension of a Customs House Agent licence was considered unjustified where the order did not record any compelling ground of grave urgency, as required for immediate action under Regulation 16. The Court found the suspension order deficient on that basis and required a fresh decision. The matter was remitted for reconsideration after giving the petitioner an opportunity of hearing, reflecting the need for procedural fairness before any continued action on the licence suspension.

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Issues: Whether the suspension of the Customs House Agent licence was justified in the absence of recorded grave urgency and whether the matter required reconsideration after hearing the petitioner.

Analysis: The suspension order did not disclose any compelling reason showing that immediate action was necessary. Regulation 16 permits suspension only in cases of grave urgency, and the order was found deficient on that aspect. At the same time, the Court considered it appropriate to remit the matter for fresh consideration after affording the petitioner an opportunity of hearing.

Conclusion: The suspension order was set aside and the respondent was directed to reconsider the matter after giving the petitioner a further opportunity of hearing.

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