Prolonged inaction and proved awareness defeated a writ challenge to the adjudication order and notice.

A writ challenge to a notice and underlying adjudication order was rejected where the record showed prior service of an opportunity notice, initiation of prosecution on the basis of the adjudication order, and the petitioner's participation in criminal proceedings over a long period. The plea of non-service and lack of knowledge was found inconsistent with the material on record. Unexplained prolonged inaction in seeking the order or challenging the proceedings was held to be fatal in writ jurisdiction, and the challenge was dismissed with the impugned order upheld.

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Issues: Whether the writ petition challenging the notice and underlying adjudication order was liable to be dismissed in view of the petitioner's prolonged inaction and the material showing awareness of the adjudication proceedings.

Analysis: The challenge was founded on an asserted non-service of the adjudication order, but the record showed that prosecution had already been initiated on the basis of the adjudication order, an opportunity notice had been served, and the petitioner had participated in the criminal proceedings over a long period. In these circumstances, the claim that no order had ever been passed or that the petitioner remained unaware of the proceedings was inconsistent with the material on record. The Court found no justification for the long delay in seeking relief or in asking for a copy of the order, and held that such unexplained inaction could not be condoned in writ jurisdiction.

Conclusion: The challenge failed and the writ petition was dismissed, with the impugned order confirmed.

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