Condonation of delay in Section 37 arbitration appeals requires a bona fide, fully explained cause, not routine leniency.

Delay in filing an appeal under Section 37 of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 must be explained with a bona fide and adequate cause, because speedy disposal is central to the statutory scheme and condonation is expected only in exceptional cases. The burden rests on the applicant to account for the entire period of delay with a satisfactory basis. On the facts stated, the explanation was found wholly inadequate and no sufficient cause was shown for the delay, so condonation was not made out.

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Issues: Whether the applicants had shown sufficient cause to condone the delay in filing the appeal under Section 37 of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996.

Analysis: The burden lay on the applicants to explain the delay and establish a bona fide reason preventing timely filing. In appeals under Section 37 of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996, the object of speedy disposal requires that delay be condoned only in exceptional cases and not as a matter of routine. The explanation offered for the delay was found to be wholly inadequate, with no satisfactory basis shown for the period of delay.

Conclusion: The applicants failed to make out sufficient cause for condonation of delay.

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