Principles of natural justice require a full hearing before merits are decided; incomplete hearing vitiated the order.

An adjudication order may be vitiated where the affected party is not given an effective and complete personal hearing, particularly when preliminary objections remain unresolved and the matter is taken up on merits before clarification on those issues. The record indicated that the appellants sought further opportunity and relied on earlier orders that were not addressed, while the impugned order was passed on the same day as the hearing. The order was therefore held to be contrary to the principles of natural justice and liable to be set aside.

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Issues: Whether the Collector's order was vitiated for denial of full opportunity of personal hearing and violation of principles of natural justice.

Analysis: The record showed that the appellants had raised preliminary objections and sought further opportunity before the matter was proceeded with on merits, but the impugned order was passed on the same day as the personal hearing. The proceedings also indicated that the hearing was not complete and that the appellants had requested clarification on preliminary issues before merits were considered. The Collector did not afford an effective and complete hearing and also did not deal with the relevant earlier orders relied upon by the appellants.

Conclusion: The order was vitiated by violation of principles of natural justice and was liable to be set aside.

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