Mandamus for release of imported goods refused as the dispute was remitted for fresh consideration and personal hearing.

The HC declined to issue a mandamus for immediate release of the imported goods and did not examine the substantive dispute against the impugned notification at that stage. Instead, it granted liberty to the petitioner to file one more representation, directed the authority to consider the earlier and proposed representations in accordance with law, and required a personal hearing before passing orders. The matter was thus left for fresh administrative determination, with the merits expressly kept open.

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Issues: Whether a writ of mandamus could be issued directing release of the imported goods without reference to the impugned notification, or whether the petitioner should be relegated to a representation to be decided by the authority.

Analysis: The petition was not decided on merits. Instead, the Court granted liberty to the petitioner to submit one more representation and directed the authority to consider the earlier and proposed representations, pass orders in accordance with law, and afford personal hearing. The Court specifically declined to go into the merits of the dispute at that stage.

Conclusion: No mandamus for immediate release of the goods was granted. The petitioner was relegated to the statutory/administrative consideration route with a direction for decision on merits and after personal hearing.

Final Conclusion: The writ petition was disposed of by directing fresh consideration of the petitioner's request, leaving the substantive dispute open for decision by the authority.

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