CASE NO.: Appeal (civil) 4951 of 2001 PETITIONER: SOUTH EASTERN COALFIELDS LTD RESPONDENT: NATTHU LAL DATE OF JUDGMENT: 12/02/2008 BENCH: TARUN CHATTERJEE & H.S.BEDI JUDGMENT:
JUDGMENT
O R D E R
CIVIL APPEAL NO.4951 OF 2001
In spite of due service on the respondent, no one has entered appearance on his behalf.
This appeal is directed against an order dt.16.10.2000 passed by the High Court of Madhya
Pradesh, Jabalpur in M.A.No.2049 of 2000 by which the application for condonation of delay of 35
days in filing the appeal was rejected.
Having heard the learned counsel for the appellant and after going through the application
for condonation of delay as also the materials on record, we are of the view that the Division Bench
of the High Court was not justified in rejecting the application for condonation of delay of 35 days
in filing the appeal as we are of the view that the statements made in the application do constitute
sufficient cause for condonation of delay in filing the appeal. Accordingly, we set aside the
impugned order and allow the application for condonation of delay in filing the appeal.
We, however, request the High Court to decide the appeal on merits and in accordance
with
law at an early date and preferably within a period of three months from the date of communication
of this Order. The appeal is allowed to the extent indicated above.
There shall be no order as to costs.