Allowed

Union of India and Anr. v. Varghese George

Bombay HC2 Apr 2007NMA/1051/2007

Case brief

AI extract

What is this about?

The court allowed the application for condonation of a 395-day delay in filing an appeal, citing the government liability and an arguable merit on public interest. The appeal was listed for hearing subject to the appellant paying costs to the respondent and filing an affidavit regarding an enquiry into the delay's causes within eight weeks.

What did the court decide?

Notice of Motion allowed; appellants to pay costs of Rs.25,000 to respondent and file affidavit on enquiry into delay within eight weeks.

3. This is an application for condonation of delay of 395 days in filing the appeal against the order passed by the learned Single Judge on 16th January 2006 in Summons for Judgement no. 210 of 2005 in Summary Suit no.319 of 2005. The explanation is sought to be given for delay relates to failure on the part of the concerned officer to apply certified copy and consequent delay in obtaining the certified copy which in turn resulted in delay in filing the appeal.

4. The appeal having been filed by Union of India and the decree which is required to be complied with by the Union of India is bound to create some burden on public ex-chequer, it would be necessary to consider the matter on merits as the point which is sought to be raised relates to absence and right to the decree holder is to claim the decretal amount in view of the notification which is said to have been issued by the government which prohibits the department from paying interest on the amount matured on Kisan Vikas Patra.

5. The mere delay in obtaining certified copy itself cannot be a ground for condonation of delay. However, considering the facts disclosed in the application and as the matter relates to the liability of the government, which in turn would be liability on the public ex-chequer, and the matter discloses an arguable point on merits, in our considered opinion, the explanation furnished by the respondent should be considered as sufficient cause for condonation of delay. However considering the fact that the delay is of 395 days and also a right has been accrued in favour of the respondent and condonation of delay would virtually result in denying the said right, it is necessary to compensate the respondent. In the result, Notice of Motion is allowed in terms of prayer clause (a) subject to the appellants paying the costs of Rs.25,000/- to the respondent. It is made clear that though initially costs as required to be paid by the appellants, the government is required to hold necessary enquiry to identify the person or persons or the officer or officers responsible for delay in filing the appeal and shall recover the same from the concerned person

be. The steps taken by the appellant for such enquiry should be disclosed by the responsible officer of Union of India on affidavit to this court within a period of eight weeks from today. On conclusion of enquiry, the same fact shall also be brought on record by responsible officer of the government by filing affidavit in the appeal. On registration formalities being complied with, the appeal shall be listed for hearing on admission on 23rd April 2007.

Union of India and Anr. v. Varghese George

Case brief

What is this about?

What did the court decide?

Union of India and Anr. v. Varghese George

Case brief

What is this about?

What did the court decide?

What the court decided

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