Interim protection against coercive action granted during ongoing enquiry pending further hearing

During the pendency of an ongoing enquiry, the petitioners sought protection from coercive action. As they expressed readiness to join the enquiry and produce the required documents, the Delhi HC directed the respondents not to take coercive steps against them until the next hearing, while also calling for a reply and listing the matter for further consideration. The operative effect was interim protection pending continuation of the enquiry and further judicial review.

---

---

Issues: Whether, during the pendency of the enquiry, the petitioners were entitled to protection against coercive action by the respondents.

Analysis: The matter was taken up at a stage when the enquiry was stated to be in progress. The petitioners expressed readiness to join the enquiry and to produce the documents necessary for its conduct. In these circumstances, the Court directed that the respondents should not take coercive action against the petitioners till the next date of hearing, while calling for a reply and listing the matter for further consideration.

Conclusion: The petitioners were granted interim protection against coercive action pending further proceedings.

---