Interim protection against delayed adjudication proceedings granted, with further steps stayed pending completion of pleadings.

Interim protection was considered against continuation of adjudication proceedings where the petitioner complained of delay, stale proceedings and prejudice, while the respondents disputed compliance with the earlier direction to reply to the show cause notice. The matter was treated as requiring further consideration, and interim directions regulated the next steps in the adjudication. The proceedings were restrained from being carried forward until 31 October 2024, with pleadings to be completed and the matter listed on 30 September 2024.

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Issues: Whether interim protection should be granted against continuation of adjudication proceedings in view of the long delay and the petitioner's grievance of prejudice.

Analysis: The petition raised a contention that the adjudication had become stale due to efflux of time and that continued proceedings would prejudice the petitioner. The respondents indicated that they would file a reply and also disputed the petitioner's compliance with the earlier direction to file a reply to the show cause notice. In the circumstances, the matter was treated as requiring consideration and interim directions were issued regulating the further course of the proceedings.

Outcome: The proceedings were directed not to be carried forward until 31 October 2024, with pleadings to be completed and the matter listed on 30 September 2024.

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