Appeal granted on remand, stressing case examination on merits. Delays excused, justice upheld.

The Tribunal allowed the appeal through remand, emphasizing the importance of proper examination of the case on its merits rather than mere statistical disposal. The delay in filing the appeal was condoned due to valid reasons provided by the appellant, criticizing the lower appellate authority's mechanical dismissal without considering the condonable period. The matter was remanded for a decision on merits after providing a reasonable opportunity for the appellant to be heard, ensuring justice was not compromised.

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Issues: Delay in filing appeal, condonation of delay, disposal of appeal without examining merits

In this case, the issue revolved around the delay in filing the appeal before the lower appellate authority, which was filed within the condonable period but beyond the initial appeal period. The appellant cited reasons for the delay, including the Managing Director's illness and the Senior Manager's unexpected leave. The lower appellate authority dismissed the appeal without examining the merits based on the delay. The Tribunal found the reasons provided by the appellant satisfactory and criticized the mechanical disposal of the appeal without considering the condonable period. The Tribunal held that such actions should not compromise justice and, therefore, condoned the delay, remanding the matter to the lower appellate authority for a decision on merits after providing a reasonable opportunity for the appellant to be heard. The appeal was allowed through remand, emphasizing the importance of a proper examination of the case on its merits rather than mere statistical disposal.

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