JUDGMENT

Arijit Pasayat, J.-Leave granted.

2. The interim order passed by a Division Bench of the Bombay High Court is under challenge by the Union of India and the Special Director, Enforcement Directorate, Ministry of Finance, Govt. of India. Respondent No. 1 filed a writ petition before the Bombay High Court questioning legality of the show cause notice No. T-4/144/SDE/(AKB)/B/2002 dated 31st May, 2002 issued by the appellant No. 1 and prayed that the same may be quashed and set aside, for allegedly being illegal, null and void. A prayer for interim relief was made to the effect that pending hearing and final disposal of the writ petition, the Court be pleased to pass an order of injunction restraining the respondents i.e. present appellants before this Court and the State of Maharashtra (respondent No. 3 in the present appeal) and/or his subordinates or any other officer acting on his behalf from initiating any proceeding pursuant to the show cause notice referred to above, as issued by the present appellants. The High Court passed the following order on 11.9.2002 :

"Rule, Status quo".

3. According to the appellants the writ petition is thoroughly misconceived as it challenges a sh