In Brief
L&T Finance challenged orders from the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission directing the personal appearance of its director and issuing bailable warrants against him. The director had not appeared despite orders, though the company was represented by counsel and authorized representatives. The Supreme Court held that bailable warrants are a last resort tool, to be used only when parties deliberately avoid appearance and are unrepresented. Here, adequate representation and the pending review application made the warrants premature. The Court set aside the coercive orders but allowed the tribunal to proceed on the merits of allegations that the director pressurized the complainant into settlement, and to require personal appearance later if needed.
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