Violation of principles of natural justice - denial of...

Violation of principles of natural justice - denial of opportunity to cross-examine the third party whose papers constitutes the basis of assessment - The justification put forth by the STO that such an exercise would result in ‘squandering away of the time’ or that would to prolong the proceedings, appears not to be justified since the STO could have made the entire exercise of summoning those selling dealers and allowing an opportunity to the Petitioner to cross-examine them, time bound. - Order quashed - HC