BEENA RANI & ORS vs UNION OF INDIA

Judgment text excerpt

* IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI % Reserved on : 25.03.2026 Pronounced on : 17.04.2026 Uploaded on : 17.04.2026 + FAO 202/2019 BEENA RANI & ORS. .....Appellants Through: Mr. Yogesh Swaroop, Advocate versus UNION OF INDIA .....Respondent Through: Mr. Bhagwan Swaroop Shukla, CGSC with Mr. Pradyumen Singh and Mr. Yash, Advocates CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE MANOJ KUMAR OHRI JUDGMENT CM APPL. 21833/2019 (seeking condonation of delay of 394 days in filing the appeal) 1. By way of the present application, the applicants/ appellants seek condonation of delay of 394 days in filing the appeal. 2. Learned counsel for the appellants submits that the appellant (Smt. Beena Devi), being the widow of the deceased, was left in a state of financial distress after the demise of her husband and was solely responsible for maintaining her family. Owing to her precarious financial condition and lack of proper legal assistance, the appellant could not immediately take steps to challenge the impugned order. It is only upon receiving assistance through known persons that the appellant was able to approach counsel and Signature Not Verified Digitally Signed By:NIJAMUDDEEN ANSARI FAO 202/2019 Page 1 of 6 Signing Date:17.04.2026 18:40:54 complete the necessary formalities for filing the present appeal. 3. It is noteworthy that in “Mohsina vs. Union of India”1, a Co-ordinate Bench of this Court condoned a delay of 804 days in filing the appeal, taking into account the weak economic condition of the appellant/ claimant. 4. Considering the peculiar facts and circumstances of the present case, and guided by the principle laid down in the aforesaid decisions, as well as the beneficial nature of the concerned legislation, this Court finds that the appellants have been able to show sufficient caus