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2015 (5) TMI 907 - HC - FEMAViolation of the provisions of Section 9 (1)(b) and 9(1)(d) of FERA - Receipt and distribution of money - Receipt of commission - Validity of assessment proceedings - inordinate delay in conclusion of the proceedings - Held that:- Frivolous proceedings or proceedings taken out to merely delay the day of reckoning cannot be treated as proceedings taken in good faith, and that, mere fact on an application or petition, a stay is granted by a superior court is no ground to construe that the proceedings are not frivolous as very often such orders are obtained on exparte representation. In effect, it was observed by the court that while it may not be advisable or practicable to fix time limit for trial of offences, the courts while ascertaining whether undue delay has occurred must have regard to all attendant circumstances including the nature of offence, number of accused and witnesses, the work-load of the court concerned, prevailing local conditions, i.e., that which is termed as “systemic delays”. In sum, the guideline formulated is to balance and weigh all relevant factors. Respondents from very inception have procrastinated in prosecuting the case unmindful of the detriment that it would cause to the petitioner. - petitioner, was entitled in law to seek copies of the relied upon documents. The fact that respondents admittedly kept them back till March 2004 clearly shows that either they lacked, for whatever reasons, the interest to prosecute the petitioner or, they had no actionable case against the petitioner. Despite, repeated requests made on behalf of the petitioner to summon panch witnesses, the said request was declined by the respondents. This request attains significance as SCN proceeds on the basis as if the petitioner was the owner of the Minto Road premises. The premises, (since then demolished) was, concededly, a Government accommodation. The reason why the petitioner happened to visit the Minto Road premises would have, perhaps, come to light if, an opportunity was given to the petitioner to cross-examine the panch witnesses, who accompanied the official witnesses at the time of search. - Similarly, the production of co-noticees who allegedly received moneys distributed by the petitioner was equally important from the point of view of the petitioner. These persons have not been produced for cross-examination at least since 2004; despite a categorical request made in this behalf in the communication dated 27.07.2004 addressed by the petitioner’s counsel to the respondents. There were no answers forthcoming on behalf of the respondents on these aspects of the matter. There are no answers supplied in the counter affidavit as well. The reason for the same perhaps is, that these witnesses have either died or are not traceable. Either way, the dis-appearance of evidence which could be crucial to the petitioner’s case has occurred on account of the delay on the part of the respondents in concluding the adjudicatory process with due expedition. - adjudication cannot proceed any further on account of undue and unexplained delay in concluding the proceedings. Accordingly, the adjudication proceedings, which commenced vide memorandum dated 14.11.1995, are quashed. - Decided in favour of appellant.
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