Condonation of delay rejected for unexplained inaction after consultant's death and failure to show sufficient cause

A delay of about seven months in filing an appeal was held not to be satisfactorily explained because the stated cause covered only the period up to the consultant's death, with no adequate explanation for the later delay. The appellants were expected to monitor preparation and filing of the appeal, and their inaction was treated as a casual approach to limitation compliance. As sufficient cause was not shown, the condonation application was rejected and the delayed appeal was not entertained.

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Issues: Whether the delay of about seven months in filing the appeal was liable to be condoned.

Analysis: The appeal was filed well beyond the prescribed limitation. The explanation offered for the delay covered the period up to the death of the consultant, but no satisfactory explanation was given for the further delay thereafter. The appellants were expected to keep track of the preparation and filing of the appeal and their inaction reflected a casual approach. The delay was not supported by sufficient reasons.

Conclusion: The delay was not condoned and the application for condonation of delay was rejected.

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