Union Of India vs Coastal Container Transporters ... on 26 February, 2019
19. On the other hand, we find force in the contention
of the learned senior counsel, Sri Radhakrishnan,
appearing for the appellants that the High Court has
committed error in entertaining the writ petition under
Article 226 of Constitution of India at the stage of show
cause notices. Though there is no bar as such for
entertaining the writ petitions at the stage of show
cause notice, but it is settled by number of decisions of
this Court, where writ petitions can be entertained at
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C.A.@ SLP(C)No.25699/18
the show cause notice stage. Neither it is a case of
lack of jurisdiction nor any violation of principles of
natural justice is alleged so as to entertain the writ
petition at the stage of notice. High Court ought not to
have entertained the writ petition, more so, when against
the final orders appeal lies to this Court. The judgment
of this Court in the case of Union of India & Anr. v.
Guwahati Carbon Ltd. (supra) relied on by the learned
senior counsel for the appellants also supports their
case. In the aforesaid judgment, arising out of Central
Excise Act, 1944, this Court has held that excise law is
a complete code in order to seek redress in excise
matters and held that entertaining writ petition is not
proper where alternative remedy under statute is
available. When there is a serious dispute with regard
to classification of service, the respondents ought to
have responded to the show cause notices by placing
material in support of their stand but at the same time,
there is no reason to approach the High Court questioning
the very show cause notices. Further, as held by the
High Court, it cannot be said that even from the contents
of show cause notices there are no factual disputes.