Natural justice and alternative remedy bar writ challenge to a Voluntary Compliance Encouragement Scheme order

A writ challenge to an order under the Voluntary Compliance Encouragement Scheme was held not maintainable because the petitioner had been given multiple personal hearings, had filed a reply, and the order reflected consideration of the objections raised, so no violation of natural justice was found. The Court also noted that the order was appealable and that writ jurisdiction should not be invoked without first exhausting the alternative appellate remedy. On that basis, the writ petition was rejected.

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Issues: Whether the writ petition challenging the order under the Voluntary Compliance Encouragement Scheme was maintainable in view of the alleged violation of natural justice and the availability of an alternative appellate remedy.

Analysis: The petitioner had submitted a reply and was given personal hearings on multiple dates, and the impugned order showed consideration of the objections raised. The Court found no violation of natural justice. It also noted that the impugned order was appealable and that the writ jurisdiction should not be invoked without exhausting the alternative remedy.

Conclusion: The writ petition was not maintainable and was rejected.

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