judicial restraint – It is time to reiterate that public officers should not be called to court unnecessarily – The dignity and majesty of the Court is not enhanced when an officer is called to court – Respect to the court has to be commanded and not demanded and the same is not enhanced by calling public officers – The presence of public officer comes at the cost of other official engagement demanding their attention – Sometimes, the officers even have to travel long distance – Therefore, summoning of the officer is against the public interest as many important tasks entrusted to him gets delayed, creating extra burden on the officer or delaying the decisions awaiting his opinion – The Court proceedings also take time, as there is no mechanism of fixed time hearing in Courts as of now – The Courts have the power of pen which is more effective than the presence of an officer in Court – If any particular issue arises for consideration before the Court and the advocate representing the State is not able to answer, it is advised to write such doubt in the order and give time to the State or its officers to respond.
(2021-3)203 PLR 253 (SC), 2021 SCeJ 978
