Natural justice requires proof of service of hearing notice before an adjudication order can stand.

An adjudication order was set aside because the record did not show that the notice fixing the personal hearing had been despatched or received by the appellant. Without proof of service of the later hearing notice, no effective opportunity of hearing could be established, and the order was therefore treated as passed in breach of natural justice. The matter was directed to be adjudicated afresh in accordance with law.

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Issues: Whether the adjudication order was vitiated for want of notice of personal hearing and denial of an opportunity of hearing.

Analysis: The available records did not establish that the notice fixing the hearing on 16-3-1993 had been despatched or received by the appellant. In the absence of proof of service of the later hearing notice, it could not be concluded that the appellant was afforded an effective opportunity of being heard before the order was made.

Conclusion: The order was passed in violation of the principles of natural justice and was set aside. The appeal was allowed and the matter was directed to be adjudicated afresh according to law.

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