The petitioner challenged blocking of ITC under Rule 86A on the ground that no reasons to believe were recorded and no pre-decisional hearing was granted. The factual background showed that ITC was blocked solely on the basis of third-party investigation reports.
The Court held that Rule 86A is a drastic power and can be exercised only after strict compliance with statutory safeguards, including recording of reasons and granting opportunity of hearing. The impugned order blocking ITC was set aside.