Sufficient cause for condonation of delay accepted where administrative absence and office holidays explained a short filing delay.

A short delay in filing reference applications may be condoned where the applicant shows sufficient cause. Administrative delay caused by the concerned officer being away on tour when the matter was processed, together with closure of the office for puja holidays, was accepted as a satisfactory explanation for a 16-day delay. The delay was therefore condoned and the applications were allowed.

---

---

Issues: Whether delay in filing the reference applications was liable to be condoned on showing sufficient cause.

Analysis: The delay was explained by the concerned officer being away on tour when the matter was processed, followed by closure of the office on account of puja holidays. The explanation was accepted as constituting sufficient cause for the short delay of 16 days in filing the reference applications.

Conclusion: The delay was condoned and the applications were allowed.

Ratio Decidendi: A short delay in filing may be condoned where the explanation establishes sufficient cause, including administrative delay caused by the officer's absence and intervening office holidays.

---