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Judgment
Vipin Sanghi, CJ
These appeals have been preferred by the State of Uttarakhand against the common order passed by the learned Single Judge in a batch of writ petitions, including Writ Petition (S/S) No.1283 of 2016, dated 20.04.2017. The special appeals have been preferred with the delay of 558 days.
The affidavit filed by the appellants to explain the delay has been perused. The same shows that the delay is occasioned on ground of the fact that, initially, the appellants decided to accept the judgment of the learned Single Judge, and only, subsequently, the decision was taken to challenge the same.
We are not satisfied with the explanation furnished by the appellants to explain the said delay. Mere exchange of correspondence within the Government Departments and Offices cannot be a reason to condone the delay. No sufficient cause has been disclosed to justify the substantial delay in the filing of these appeals.
We are, therefore, inclined to dismiss these special appeals as being barred by limitation.
That apart, the appellants have been granted the liberty to proceed in the matter of reduction of pay of the respondent(s)- writ petitioner(s), after compliance of the principles of natural justice, which had not been done earlier.
On merits as well, we do not find any justification to interfere with the impugned order.
The appeals are, accordingly, dismissed.
Pending application, if any, also stands disposed of.