JUDGMENT

Anish Dayal, J.

1. This petition has been filed seeking stay on operation of the impugned recovery notice dated 2nd August, 2013 issued by respondent no.1 (Commissioner, Employees' Compensation Act, 1932) initiating proceedings for recovery of Rs.7,88,240/- from the petitioner herein. The said recovery notice was issued pursuant to an order dated 14th June, 2013 awarding respondent nos. 3 to 7 ("claimants") a sum of Rs.7,88,240/- as compensation along with interest at the rate of 12% per annum from 10th August, 2008 till its realisation. Since the said amount was to be paid by M/s. Patliputra Transport Agency (respondent no.8), through its owner (the petitioner) recovery proceedings were initiated for the said amount against the petitioner by way of the impugned notice.

2. Genesis of the matter is an application for compensation under Section 22 of the Employees' Compensation Act, 1923 ("the Act") preferred by the claimants (being the legal heirs of deceased Mr. Akbar Ali - namely Ms. Razia Begum, wife of the deceased and their minor children). As per the claimants, Mr. Akbar Ali was employed as a loader for loading and unloading on the vehicle owned by M/s. Patliputra Transp