Pre-consultation and jurisdiction objections must be heard before a show cause notice is maintained in law.

The Bombay High Court noted that the respondents agreed to commence pre-consultation and not proceed with the show cause notice in the meantime. The petitioner was allowed to raise objections before the issuing authority, including challenges on jurisdiction and limitation, and the authority was directed to decide whether the notice could be maintained in law after hearing the petitioner. No final finding was returned on the validity of the notice; the matter was remitted for reconsideration, with limited interim protection against coercive action if the decision went against the petitioner.

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Issues: Whether the impugned show cause notice could be proceeded with without completing pre-consultation, and whether the petitioner could raise objections on jurisdiction and limitation before the issuing authority.

Analysis: The Respondents agreed to commence the process of pre-consultation and not proceed with the show cause notice in the meantime. The petitioner was permitted to place objections before the Respondent, including objections on jurisdiction and limitation, and the Respondent was directed to decide whether the notice could be maintained in law after hearing the petitioner.

Outcome: No final adjudication was made on the validity of the show cause notice. The matter was sent back for consideration by the Respondent after hearing the petitioner, with interim protection against coercive steps for a limited period if the decision is adverse.

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