1987 (4) TMI 478 - SUPREME COURT

Notifications issued under the Drugs (Prices Control) Order, 1979 questioned on several grounds by the manufacturers and they have been quashed by the Delhi High Court on the ground of failure to observe the principles of natural justic

Held that:- High Court granted stay of implementation of the notification fixing the prices were issued fixing the maximum prices of bulk drugs and the retail prices of formulations. We think that in matter of this nature, where prices of essential commodities are fixed in order to maintain or increase supply of the commodities or for securing the equitable distribution and availability at fair prices of the commodity, it is not right that the court should make any interim order staying the implementation of the notification fixing the prices. We consider that such orders are against the public interest and ought not to be made by a court unless the court is satisfied that no public interest is going to be served. No doubt that the appeal must be allowed and the writ petition in the High Court dismissed.