Statutory limitation cannot be extended beyond the maximum condonable delay under a special appellate framework.

Where a special appellate statute prescribes a filing period and a fixed maximum condonable delay, that statutory ceiling cannot be extended by relying on the Limitation Act, 1963. An appeal filed beyond the outer limit of condonation was therefore not maintainable and was rejected as time-barred.

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Issues: Whether an appeal filed beyond the condonable period could be entertained by extending limitation on the basis of the Limitation Act, 1963.

Analysis: The appeal was filed after a delay far exceeding the period that could be condoned under the governing appellate framework. The plea that the Limitation Act, 1963 allowed a longer period for filing the appeal was rejected in view of the settled principle that when a special statute prescribes a limitation period together with a limited power of condonation, the appellate authority cannot extend that period beyond the statutory limit.

Conclusion: The appeal could not be entertained and was rightly rejected as time-barred.

Ratio Decidendi: Where a special statute prescribes a limitation period and also specifies the maximum condonable delay, delay beyond that limit is not condonable by invoking the Limitation Act, 1963.

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