De novo adjudication delay justified a fresh direction to complete proceedings within one month.

Continued delay in completing de novo adjudication after an earlier remand justified further judicial monitoring, because the goods had remained under absolute confiscation for a prolonged period and the adjudicating authority had not acted despite prior directions and correspondence. The authority was therefore required to finalise the de novo proceedings within one month of receiving the order.

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Issues: Whether a further direction should be issued for expeditious completion of the de novo adjudication ordered earlier.

Analysis: The goods had remained absolutely confiscated for a long period, and the earlier remand had specifically required the adjudicating authority to complete the de novo proceedings within a fixed time. The continued inaction despite correspondence warranted intervention and monitoring.

Outcome: The adjudicating authority was directed to finalise the de novo proceedings within one month from receipt of the order.

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