Delay should not bar merits-based consideration under the public demand recovery process, with limited interim stay granted.

The writ petition was disposed of at the motion stage with liberty to move a petition under the Bengal Public Demand Recovery Act before the Certificate Officer. The Certificate Officer was directed to consider the petition on merits and not reject it solely because of delay. The operation of any unexecuted warrant of arrest was stayed for the limited period fixed in the order, preserving interim protection while the statutory remedy was pursued.

---

---

Outcome: The writ petition was disposed of at the motion stage by granting the petitioner liberty to file a petition under Section 9 of the Bengal Public Demand Recovery Act, 1913 before the Certificate Officer, with a direction that the petition be decided on merits and not rejected merely on the ground of delay. The operation of any unexecuted warrant of arrest was stayed for the limited period specified in the order.

---