Anti-profiteering challenge secured partial interim protection, with coercive follow-up measures stayed pending further hearing.

The writ petition challenged an anti-profiteering determination, allied notices, the constitutional validity of the anti-profiteering provisions, and the composition of the authority. Pending further hearing, notice was issued, pleadings were directed to be completed, and the petitioner was required to deposit the principal profiteered amount with the Central Consumer Welfare Fund. The court stayed the interest component, penalty proceedings, and further investigation concerning other outlets until further orders, thereby granting partial interim protection against coercive follow-up measures while the challenge remained pending.

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Issues: Whether interim protection was warranted in the writ petition challenging the anti-profiteering order and allied proceedings.

Analysis: The writ petition challenged the anti-profiteering determination and the consequential notices and also assailed the constitutional validity of the anti-profiteering provisions and the composition of the authority. Notice was issued to the respondents, pleadings were directed to be completed, and pending further hearing the petitioner was directed to deposit the principal profiteered amount with the Central Consumer Welfare Fund. The interest component, penalty proceedings, and further investigation in relation to other outlets were stayed until further orders.

Conclusion: Interim relief was granted in part, with protective orders issued against coercive follow-up measures pending further adjudication.

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