Condonation of delay in connected appeals allowed where an earlier dismissal was purely technical and the disputes arose from one common order.

Delay in filing connected appeals may be condoned where an earlier appeal was dismissed only on a technical ground for non-filing of the remaining connected appeals, and all appeals arise from the same common order involving the same issue. The procedural dismissal did not bar consideration of the later appeals on merits, and no valid ground existed to refuse condonation. The delay was therefore condoned, and the appeals were directed to be registered for adjudication.

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Issues: Whether the delay in filing the appeals was liable to be condoned in view of the earlier dismissal of one connected appeal on a technical ground.

Analysis: The earlier appeal had been dismissed not on merits but for non-filing of the remaining connected appeals as contemplated by Rule 11 of the CEGAT (Procedure) Rules. The present appeals were stated to be formal in nature, all arising from the same common order and involving the same issue. In these circumstances, the reason for the earlier procedural dismissal did not stand in the way of considering the subsequent appeals on merits, and no valid ground was found to reject the request for condonation.

Conclusion: The delay in filing the appeals was condoned, and the appeals were directed to be registered.

Final Conclusion: The procedural objection was overruled, enabling the connected appeals to proceed for adjudication.

Ratio Decidendi: Delay in filing connected appeals may be condoned where the earlier dismissal was purely technical and the appeals arise from the same common order involving the same issue.

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