Reasonable time requirement bars stale appeals; inordinate delay cannot be condoned without sufficient cause.

Section 9 of the Maharashtra Employees of Private Schools Act confers an appeal right on an aggrieved employee, but it does not permit stale challenges to be brought at any time. The Supreme Court held that, even where no fixed limitation period is prescribed, the remedy must be pursued within a reasonable time and delayed appeals may be entertained only on sufficient cause being shown. A delay of nearly 10 years, supported by no cogent explanation and with knowledge of the appointment from the outset, was treated as inordinate. The Tribunal was therefore justified in refusing to condone the delay and in declining to entertain the challenge.

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Issues: Whether an appeal under Section 9(1)(b) of the Maharashtra Employees of Private Schools (Conditions of Service) Regulation Act could be entertained after an inordinate delay of about 10 years and, if so, whether such delay could be condoned in the absence of sufficient cause.

Analysis: The appeal right under Section 9 extends to an aggrieved employee challenging supersession, but the statutory scheme does not confer an unfettered right to approach the Tribunal at any point of time. Even where the statute does not prescribe a specific limitation period, the remedy must be invoked within a reasonable time. Section 9(3) permits entertainment of a delayed appeal only on satisfaction of sufficient cause, and the delay of 9 years and 11 months, unsupported by cogent explanation and despite knowledge of the appointment from the outset, was held to be inordinate.

Conclusion: The Tribunal was justified in refusing to condone the delay, and the challenge could not be entertained after such an excessive lapse of time.

Ratio Decidendi: Where a statute confers a right of appeal but does not permit stale claims to be pursued after an unreasonable lapse of time, the remedy must be invoked within a reasonable period and inordinate delay cannot be condoned absent sufficient cause.

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