Registry scrutiny of appeals must follow prescribed procedure, with curable defects intimated for rectification before delay condonation is pressed.

The Registry must scrutinise appeals in accordance with Chapter 4 of the Judicial Manual and Rule 11(4) of the CESTAT (Procedure) Rules, 1982, and curable defects should be intimated to the appellant for rectification rather than forcing a delay condonation application. The procedural grievance was taken note of, and the Registry was directed to follow the prescribed scrutiny procedure. The condonation of delay applications were kept open for hearing on the next date, preserving the parties' ability to address the issue after compliance with the manual and rules.

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Issues: Whether the Registry must follow the procedure laid down in Chapter 4 of the Judicial Manual and Rule 11(4) of the CESTAT (Procedure) Rules, 1982 while scrutinising appeals, and whether curable defects should be intimated to the appellant for rectification instead of compelling a delay condonation application.

Outcome: The matter was taken note of on the procedural grievance, the Registry was directed to act in accordance with the procedure laid down in Chapter 4 of the Judicial Manual, and the condonation of delay applications were kept open for hearing on the next date.

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