C.R. No. 244 of 2011 [1] IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH. C.R. No. 244 of 2011 Date of Decision: January 14, 2011 Gurbachan Singh …..Petitioner Vs. Mohan Singh and others …..Respondents CORAM: HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE M.M.S. BEDI. -.- Present:- Mr. Namit Gautam, Advocate for the petitioner. -.- M.M.S. BEDI, J. (ORAL) The petitioner is a plaintiff in a suit tilted Gurbachan Singh Vs. Mohan Singh and others, pending in the Court of Civil Judge (Senior Division), Ludhiana. Through instant petition under Article 227 of the Constitution of India, a direction has been sought by the plaintiff- petitioner to the trial Court to dispose of the civil suit within a fixed time framed in view of the fact that the suit for specific performance filed by the plaintiff- petitioner has been pending for the last 7 ½ years. The petitioner claims C.R. No. 244 of 2011 [2] that he has produced his witnesses whose examination-in-chief has been recorded but on account of dilatory tactics adopted by the defendant- respondents in not cross-examining the witnesses, the delay is being caused, causing a serious prejudice to the plaintiff- petitioner. The next date of hearing before the trial Court is stated to be January 19, 2011. Counsel for the petitioner has submitted that though a number of opportunities have been given to the counsel for the respondents but the evasive approach is adopted by the defendant- respondents either by changing counsel or by seeking adjournment on unreasonable ground. Heard. The pendency of a civil suit for specific performance for the last 7 ½ years is certainly a matter of concern but before issuing any direction for expeditious disposal of the case, it is deemed appropriate to give an opportunity to the plaintiff- petitioner to submit an application under Order 17 Rule 1 (e) CPC read with explanation of Order 17 Rule 2 CPC requesting the Court to dispense with the cross-examination of the witnesses and to decide the matter expeditiously. It is expected that in case any such application is filed by the petitioner the trial Court, will objectively consider the same and take necessary steps to ensure that cross-examination is conducted and the case is decided expeditiously by giving short dates. Disposed of. January 14, 2011 (M.M.S.BEDI) sanjay JUDGE