Ad-interim protection pending compounding application in excise offence proceedings, with restraint on prejudicial steps and prosecution.

Pending consideration of a compounding application for alleged offences under Chapter II of the Central Excise Act, the Bombay HC granted ad-interim protection. The Court stayed the filing of any prosecution and restrained the respondents from taking steps prejudicial to the petitioners' personal liberty in relation to the alleged excise offences. The protection was interim in nature and was coupled with a requirement that the petitioners cooperate and remain present when called upon. Ad-interim relief was thus granted in favour of the petitioners.

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Issues: Whether ad-interim protection should be granted pending consideration of the compounding application in respect of alleged offences under Chapter II of the Central Excise Act, 1944.

Analysis: The Court granted rule and, at the interim stage, protected the petitioners by staying the filing of any prosecution and restraining the respondents from taking steps prejudicial to personal liberty in relation to the alleged excise offences connected with the pending compounding application. The order also required the petitioners to cooperate and remain present when required.

Conclusion: Ad-interim relief was granted in favour of the petitioners.

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