Condonation of delay fails where prior awareness of proceedings and business transfer are left unexplained

Sufficient cause for condonation of delay was examined in light of the applicants' prior awareness of the proceedings and the transfer of business. The record, including the applicants' own correspondence, showed that they had been informed about the litigation and departmental action well before the appeal was filed, yet no satisfactory explanation covered the relevant periods of inaction. On that factual basis, sufficient cause was not established and the request for condonation of delay was rejected.

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Issues: Whether sufficient cause was shown for condonation of delay in filing the appeal.

Analysis: The applicants were found to have been aware of the proceedings and of the transfer of business well before filing the appeal, yet no satisfactory explanation was offered for the delay covering the relevant periods. The materials on record, including the applicants' own correspondence, showed that they were informed about the litigation and the departmental action, but the application did not disclose any adequate reason for the prolonged inaction.

Conclusion: Sufficient cause was not established, and the request for condonation of delay was rejected.

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