Condonation of delay in a first appeal granted where sufficient cause existed and the appellant was restored to appellate hearing on merits.

Delay in filing a first appeal against a Securities Appellate Tribunal order was condoned on payment of costs because sufficient cause was shown through personal difficulties, financial strain during the pandemic, family illness, and difficulty receiving the order after an address change. The Court treated the statutory first appeal as a valuable factual remedy and held that the appellant should not be foreclosed from contesting the matter before the appellate forum. The appeal was restored for decision on merits.

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Issues: Whether the delay in filing the appeal against the Securities Appellate Tribunal's order should be condoned on payment of costs and the appeal restored for decision on merits.

Analysis: The delay was explained by personal difficulties, financial strain during the pandemic, illness in the family, and difficulty in receiving the impugned order after a change of address. The Court also treated the statutory first appeal as a valuable remedy on facts and considered that the appellant should have an opportunity to contest the matter before the appellate forum.

Conclusion: The delay was condoned subject to payment of costs, and the appeal was restored for adjudication on merits.

Ratio Decidendi: Delay in a first appeal may be condoned where the explanation shows sufficient cause and denial of an appellate hearing would unjustly foreclose a valuable factual remedy.

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