Natural justice required a hearing before pre-deposit directions were upheld, leading to remand for reconsideration.

An order directing pre-deposit and rejecting a modification request was set aside because no personal hearing had been afforded before the decision. The matter had not been decided on merits, so the proper course was reconsideration after giving the appellant a reasonable opportunity of hearing. The appeals were therefore remanded for fresh consideration, and pre-deposit was not insisted upon pending that reconsideration.

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Issues: Whether the order directing pre-deposit and rejecting modification could be sustained when no personal hearing was afforded, and whether the matter should be remanded for fresh decision.

Analysis: The order was passed without granting personal hearing. The appellant's request for modification of the stay order was also rejected without hearing. In these circumstances, the matter was not decided on merits and the proper course was to set aside the impugned order and direct reconsideration after giving a reasonable opportunity of hearing.

Conclusion: The impugned order was set aside and the appeals were remanded for fresh consideration without insisting on pre-deposit. Relief was thus granted in favour of the appellant.

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