Gross delay in Article 226 writ jurisdiction can bar relief where unexplained and long after the impugned order.

A writ petition under Article 226 challenging a 1966 order was filed in 1970 after the petitioner had already pursued other remedies, with no satisfactory explanation for the delay. The court treated the unexplained lapse of time as fatal to invocation of extraordinary writ jurisdiction and upheld refusal of relief at the threshold. The petition was therefore barred by gross delay and liable to dismissal.

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Issues: Whether a writ petition under Article 226 of the Constitution of India challenging an order passed in 1966 could be entertained after gross and unexplained delay.

Analysis: The petition was filed in the High Court in 1970, long after the impugned order had been passed and after the appellant had unsuccessfully pursued other remedies. No satisfactory explanation was offered for invoking the extraordinary writ jurisdiction so belatedly. In these circumstances, the High Court was justified in refusing relief at the threshold.

Conclusion: The writ petition was barred by gross delay and was liable to be dismissed.

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