Greater Noida, Dec. 19 -- A fast-track court in Gautam Budh Nagar on Thursday voiced impatience over repeated delays while hearing the Uttar Pradesh government's plea to withdraw the 2015 Mohammad Ikhlaq lynching case, observing that the matter has remained pending for a decade and must be decided expeditiously. The proceedings, have been marked by procedural objections and counter objections from both sides. Additional district judge Saurabh Dwivedi was hearing arguments on the Uttar Pradesh government's application to withdraw the case under Section 321 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, which allows a public prosecutor to seek withdrawal of a case with the court's consent before the judgment is pronounced. The objection filed by Ikhlaq's family contends that the state's plea lacks any "concrete basis" and is driven by "political considerations". It argues that the government has failed to demonstrate how withdrawal would serve the interests of justice for the victim man and his family. The hearing saw repeated procedural objections from both sides. The exchange began when Ikhlaq's counsel, Yusuf Saifi, sought to place his objection on record. Defence counsel Hariraj Singh intervened, seeking time to examine the submission. The judge declined the request, remarking that the matter had already consumed a decade. "This is not the High Court where unlimited time can be given. This case has been going on for 10 years. How much more time should I give for one case?" Dwivedi said. Senior advocate Andleeb Naqvi, assisting Saifi, informed the court that a writ petition challenging the Uttar Pradesh government's withdrawal decision had also been filed before a division bench of the Allahabad High Court on behalf of Ikhlaq's wife, Ikraman. After hearing both sides briefly, the judge reiterated the need for expeditious disposal. "This is one of the oldest cases in my court. I cannot give much time. You may argue - I want to hear the arguments - but it has to be decided at the earliest," he said, listing the matter for December 23. Mohammad Ikhlaq, 55, was lynched by a mob in Bisada village on September 28, 2015, following rumours that his family had stored beef at home. His son Danish was critically injured while trying to save him. The killing triggered nationwide outrage and protests against rising intolerance. Ten people were initially named in the FIR, with eight more added later. Three were juveniles. One accused died in jail, while another died after being electrocuted while on bail. Most of the remaining accused were released on bail after spending about 18 months in Luksar jail. In its withdrawal application, the Uttar Pradesh government argued that dropping the case would help "restore social harmony", noting that the incident stemmed from allegations of cow meat and that no firearms or sharp weapons were recovered. It also stated that there was no prior enmity between the parties....