Amrit Lal Thawait vs State Of Chhattisgarh And Ors.

Heard on I.A. No. 1, application for condonation of delay in filing appeal.

Learned counsel for the appellant argued that the appellant is living in a remote scheduled area of the State. He is also suffering from certain

amount of disability and is a poor person. As the appellant was facing a criminal trial for about six years, he has to incur huge expenditure and due to

poverty, he could not arrange necessary expenses for filing appeal before the Court. It is only when executing Court proceeded to execute the

impugned judgment and decree, somehow the appellant arranged funds by taking loan from relatives. Therefore, it is argued, there is sufficient cause

for condonation of delay of 2323 days in filing appeal.

In support of his submission, learned counsel for the appellant relied upon the judgment of the Supreme Court in the case of K. Subbarayudu and

Others Vs. The Special Deputy Collector (Land Acquisition), 2017 SAR (Civil) 1003 Supreme Court.

On the other hand, learned counsel for the respondent would submit that looking to long delay of seven years in filing appeal, the appellant was

required to properly explain the delay but the appellant has come out with vague explanations. The appellant has only sought compassion without there

being sufficient cause shown by him for condonation of such a long delay in filing appeal. Learned counsel for respondent No. 1 relies upon the

decision of the Supreme Court in the case of G. Ramegowda, Major Etc. Vs. The Special land acquisition Officer, Bangalore & Basavalingappa, AIR

1988 SC 897.

There is no dispute that the present appeal is barred by 2323 days and the impugned judgment and decree was passed on 25-11-2010 whereas,

present appeal has been filed by the appellant on 06-09-2017 i.e. after seven years. The explanation for such a long delay is that the appellant was

facing some criminal case and that he is poor and also disabled. The appellant has not specifically stated when the criminal case was initiated and

when it came to an end. The disability certificate also does not show that the appellant suffers from such a disability which prevented him from filing

appeal for almost seven years. The causes which have been shown do not sufficiently explain such a long delay of seven years. A party cannot be

allowed to assail the judgment and decree without sufficient cause shown after seven years.

Counsel for both the parties have relied upon the decisions before this Court in support of their respective arguments. Though, there is no quarrel

with the legal proposition that the Court should adopt the justice oriented approach, term 'sufficient cause' is required to be construed liberally so as to

advance substantially justice, at the same time, a balance is to be struck and a party cannot be allowed to file appeal whenever he chooses to do so

nor can long delay of years together, in the present case seven years, can be condoned only by applying liberal approach, when the explanation for

delay itself is vague and not specific. If there is negligence, deliberate or Callous negligent or lack of bonafides on the part of the party, there is no

reason why the opposite side should be exposed to time barred appeal. The decision relied upon by learned counsel for the appellant was a case of

claim of compensation in view of acquisition of land and the Court found that the compensation was too meagre. In those peculiar circumstances, it

was held that if delay is not condoned, interest of justice would be defeated. In the present case, it has to be noted that appellant remained negligent

even during trial and he was proceeded ex-parte. Moreover, in the criminal case the appellant has been held guilty. The compensation has been

awarded on account of death of one Maniram who was labour. Plaintiff is the poor widow of Manihar who has been awarded compensation. The

appellant has been saddled with only half of the liability to the extent of Rs. 1,35,500/-. Therefore, taking into consideration the circumstances of the

case, long delay, vague explanation, no sufficient causes made out to condone seven years delay in filing appeal. Interest of justice demands that the

matter should be allowed to stay at rest when a poor widow of the deceased Manihar has been awarded compensation of Rs. 2,71,000 out of which

appellant has to pay only Rs. 1,35,500.

Accordingly, the application for condonation of delay in filing appeal is rejected and consequentially the appeal is also dismissed as barred by

limitation.