‘If One Can, Why Not Others?’: Madras HC criticises Income Tax Dept Counsels Over Late Filing of Counter Affidavits, Directs Dept to Cooperate

The Madras High Court criticized the Income Tax Department over repeated delays in filing counter-affidavits in response to petitions. The case under scrutiny involved a petitioner who was awaiting a response from the tax department for over a year. The court expressed dissatisfaction with the department's inefficiency, particularly noting the late filings by government counsel. It issued a directive for the department to cooperate and expedite filings in the future. The case also serves as a broader warning to public sector institutions about the potential consequences of bureaucratic delays, especially in legal matters.