Condonation of delay: a liberal assessment of sufficient cause can excuse extended delay and remand the matter for merits.

Condonation of delay under the Limitation Act was addressed: the court applied the established principle that tribunals must adopt a liberal approach when assessing 'sufficient cause' and found the averments in the condonation application adequate to excuse a 207 day delay. The revisional forum's dismissal on limitation grounds without adjudicating merits was set aside as erroneous. Outcome: the delay is condoned, the revision petition is treated as filed in time, and the matter is remitted to the statutory consumer commission for fresh adjudication on merits after notice to respondents.

---

---

Issues: Whether the delay of 207 days in filing the revision petition before the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission can be condoned under Section 5 of the Limitation Act.

Analysis: The Court examined the application for condonation of delay and the grounds advanced therein against the statutory criterion of 'sufficient cause' under Section 5 of the Limitation Act. The Commission had dismissed the revision as barred by limitation without addressing the merits, having found the explanation for delay inadequate. The Court applied the established principle that courts and tribunals should adopt a liberal approach while considering condonation applications, and assessed whether the averments in the condonation application constituted sufficient cause to excuse the 207-day delay.

Conclusion: The delay in filing the revision petition is condoned; the revision petition is held to be within time and the impugned order dismissing it on limitation grounds is set aside. The matter is remitted to the Commission to decide the revision petition on merits after notice to the respondents.

---