Condonation of delay in Special Leave Petition: 676-day unexplained delay leads to dismissal on delay and merits.

Condonation of delay was the central issue: a 676-day unexplained delay was held to be gross, furnishing no satisfactory grounds for extension, and the petition was dismissed on that basis. Independently, the impugned High Court order was found not to merit interference after review of the record, and accordingly the Special Leave Petition was also dismissed on merits. The operative effect is refusal of relief both for want of timely prosecution and for lack of substantive entitlement to overturn the High Court decision.

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Issues: Whether the Special Leave Petition should be entertained despite a delay of 676 days and whether interference with the High Court's order is warranted on merits.

Analysis: The Court noted a gross unexplained delay of 676 days in filing the Special Leave Petition and examined whether such delay could be condoned. Independently, the Court considered the merits of the challenge to the High Court's order and found no reason to interfere. The combined effect of the unexplained delay and absence of merit led the Court to refuse relief.

Conclusion: The Special Leave Petition is dismissed on the grounds of delay and on merits; decision is in favour of the Respondent.

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