Interim protection continued where no service of process or notice for investigation was shown, and relief was made absolute.

Interim protection was continued where the record showed no proof that the process issued under the magistrate's order had been served and no notice had been issued for several months requiring the appellant to appear for investigation. The Court noted that the appellant had earlier been directed to cooperate with the investigation, but the respondents produced nothing to show service or a current requirement for attendance. The interim order dated 29 April 2024 was made absolute on the same terms and conditions, and the appeal was allowed in the appellant's favour.

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Issues: Whether the interim protection granted to the appellant should be continued and made absolute in the absence of proof that the process had been served and when no notice had been issued requiring the appellant to appear for investigation.

Analysis: The respondents placed nothing on record to show service of the process issued pursuant to the order of the Chief Judicial Magistrate. The record also indicated that although interim relief had earlier been granted on the condition of cooperation with investigation, no notice had been issued for several months calling upon the appellant to appear, and the appellant's presence was not required during that period.

Conclusion: The interim order dated 29 April 2024 was made absolute on the same terms and conditions, and the appeal was allowed.

Final Conclusion: The appellant was granted continuing protection, with the earlier interim arrangement affirmed and the appeal brought to an end in the appellant's favour.

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