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1988 (5) TMI 50 - SC - CustomsWhether at the relevant time, import of coconut oil had become canalised through the State Trading Corporation? Held that:- Very appropriately, appellants' learned counsel has not found fault with the High Court for not following the quasi-judicial opinion of the Board or the Central Government nor has he pleaded for acceptance of that by us as a precedent. Once on analysis we reach the conclusion that "coconut oil" of every description was covered in paragraph 5 of Appendix 9, the quasi-judicial decision ceases to be relevant. We propose to say no more on this aspect of the submission. What survives for consideration is the argument relating to the vice of breach of natural justice and the vice of collateral pressure of the Import Authorities in the making of the order. It has not been disputed that show cause notices were issued, cause was shown and considered by the statutory authorities. It may be that more of opportunities than extended were expected by the appellants in view of the fact that large stakes were in issue. The observance of the rules of natural justice is not referable to the fatness of the stake but is essentially related to the demands of a given situation. The position here is covered by statutory provisions and it is well settled that rules of natural justice do not supplant but supplement the law. Appeal dismissed.
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