High Court Kerala High Court

State Of Kerala vs Ramachandran Pillai on 13 October, 2009

Kerala High Court
State Of Kerala vs Ramachandran Pillai on 13 October, 2009
       

  

  

 
 
  IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM

Ex.FA.No. 54 of 2009(D)


1. STATE OF KERALA, REPRESENTED BY THE
                      ...  Petitioner
2. THE SPECIAL TAHSILDAR, LA (NH),

                        Vs



1. RAMACHANDRAN PILLAI,
                       ...       Respondent

2. G.SREEDEVI AMMA,

3. S.KRISHNAMMA, D/O.RAMACHANDRAN PILLAI,

4. P.RADHAKRISHNA PILLAI,

5. R.RAJASEKHARAN PILLAI,

                For Petitioner  :GOVERNMENT PLEADER

                For Respondent  :SRI.JOHN K.GEORGE

The Hon'ble MR. Justice K.M.JOSEPH
The Hon'ble MR. Justice M.L.JOSEPH FRANCIS

 Dated :13/10/2009

 O R D E R
                   P.R. RAMAN & P. BHAVADASAN, JJ.
                  = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
               C.M. APPLN. 686/2009 I EX.F.A. NO. 54/2009
                 = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =

             DATED THIS, THE 26TH DAY OF JUNE, 2009.

                                  O R D E R

Raman, J.

This is an application for condonation of delay of 742 days caused in

filing the appeal. The application is supported by an affidavit sworn into by

the Senior Superintendent, Suit Section, Collectorate, Thiruvananthapuram.

The impugned order in E.P. 7/2003 in L.A.R. 61/87 on the file of the

Additional Sub Court, Thiruvananthapuram was passed on 24.11.2006. It

is stated that the Additional Government Pleader did not intimate the order

within time and since the file was misplaced in his office and due to

subsequent change of Government Pleaders, the applicant could apply for

certified copy only on 23.5.2008. Certified copy was obtained on 7.6.2008

and thereafter it was forwarded to the Advocate General’s Office and finally

the matter was returned to the concerned Government Pleader on 9.7.2008.

due to pressure of work, the Government Pleader returned the file without

taking any steps and then the file was placed before the present Government

Pleader. Because of the workload, he could file the Ex.F.A. only on

C.M. APPLN. IN EX.F.A. 54/2009 :2:

5.3.2009. This is the manner in which the delay is explained.

2. Even in making a copy application nearly two years’ time is

taken and the explanation is that file was misplaced. There is no statement

as to when the file was found out later. It is stated that there was change in

the Government Pleader but no date is mentioned in the affidavit as to when

was the change, who was the then Government Pleader and who was the

new Government Pleader, in case the application was filed through him.

even thereafter, there was delay. After the order was forwarded to the

Advocate General’s Office it is stated that the file was returned by the

Government Pleader on 9.7.2008 and due to pressure of work no steps were

taken. Thus, as a whole, the delay is not properly explained.

In the circumstances, we cannot act upon this affidavit. Government

Pleader, however, seeks time for filing a better affidavit.

Two weeks time granted.

P.R. RAMAN, JUDGE.

P. BHAVADASAN, JUDGE.

KNC/-