High Court sets strict timelines for witness examination in response to delays, emphasizes need for expedited appeals.

The High Court addressed delays in cross-examining witnesses in multiple writ petitions. The Respondent Department denied responsibility for the delay, emphasizing the need to expedite appeals. The court highlighted the presiding officer's control over proceedings and set strict timelines for witness examination. The case was adjourned for four weeks to progress on 11 out of 21 witnesses. Parties were directed to update the court on examination progress for setting a final deadline. The court aimed for a proactive approach to resolve delays and listed further proceedings for 03.04.2023.

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Issues: Delay in conduct of cross examination of witnesses

Analysis:
The judgment by the High Court addresses the issue of delay in the conduct of cross examination of witnesses in multiple writ petitions. The Respondent Department, through a counter affidavit, denies responsibility for the delay and asserts an obligation to expedite the appeals. The court refers to a previous order indicating the intention to resolve pending appeals promptly. The Petitioner's counsel emphasizes the necessity of witness statements and relevant documents for effective cross examination. The Respondent's counsel proposes restricting the scope of examination to witness statements only, suggesting a timeline for concluding the remaining witness examinations.

The court asserts that the presiding officer, the Assessing Officer, holds control over the proceedings, including cross examination. Guidelines from the appellate Authority are cited, emphasizing the need for cooperation and adherence to timelines. The court decides to adjourn the case for four weeks to facilitate the examination of witnesses, expecting progress on at least 11 out of 21 witnesses during this period. The Assessing Officer is directed to proceed with strict timelines, with parties required to update the court on the examination progress for setting a final deadline for the entire cross-examination process on the next date.

In conclusion, the court lists the matters for further proceedings on 03.04.2023, indicating a proactive approach to address the delay in conducting cross examination of witnesses and ensuring a timely resolution of the appeals.

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