' This order will decide the instant appeal, as well as, connected writ petitions mentioned in Schedule "A" as all these cases raise common questions of law and facts.
2. Grievance of the appellants/petitioners is that they have been served with impugned Notice dated August, 2014 which does not carry any specific reference to the land in possession of the appellants/ petitioners. The impugned Notices are vague and unsigned and appear to have been issued in a mechanical manner to the appellants and the petitioners.
3. It is settled law that notices cannot be vague and unspecific but A must clearly layout the accusation levelled against the person concerned so that he can respond to the same. Reliance is placed on Noor Ahmed v. Province of East Pakistan and others (PLD 1962 Dacca 533), Noor Ahmed v. Province of East Pakistan and others (PLD 1964 Dacca 546), Lakhu Sarkar v. Government of East Pakistan and others (PLD 1964 Dacca 217), Assistant Collector Customs and others v. Messrs Khyber Electric Lamps and 3 others (2001 SCM R 838).
4. In the light of the above, the impugned notice being vague and unspecific is not sustainable in law as it does not provide an opportunity to the appellants and the petitioners to defend themselves. Therefore, the impugned notices are set aside. It is, however, clarified that respondent, department is free to issue fresh Show-Cause Notice to the appellants/petitioners strictly in accordance with law after complying with requirements of valid Show-Cause Notice.
5. Impugned order dated 12-9-2014 passed by the learned Single Judge is modified accordingly.