Reasoned adjudication on merits required where pending appeal did not justify denial of relief in a connected insolvency matter.

Denial of the requested relief solely because a connected matter was pending before the Appellate Tribunal was not sustained where no clear reasoning showed how that pendency affected consideration of the request. With the earlier issue on consolidation of CIRP already settled, the remaining request had to be examined independently on merits. The absence of disclosed reasons and application of mind justified judicial review, and the matter was remitted to the Adjudicating Authority for a reasoned order on merits.

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Issues: Whether the denial of the requested relief solely on the ground that a related matter was pending before the Appellate Tribunal could be sustained, and whether the Adjudicating Authority was required to decide the request on merits.

Analysis: The order recorded no clear reasoning explaining how pendency of the connected appeal affected consideration of the request. Since the earlier question relating to consolidation of CIRP had already been settled, the only surviving issue was whether the requested relief could be examined independently. The absence of disclosure of mind and reasons in the rejection made judicial review appropriate, and the matter was sent back for an order on merits.

Conclusion: The refusal to consider the request was not sustained, and the matter was remitted to the Adjudicating Authority to pass a reasoned order on merits.

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