MAHENDRA vs UNION OF INDIA

Judgment text excerpt

* IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI % Reserved on : 19.03.2026 Pronounced on : 02.04.2026 Uploaded on : 02.04.2026 + FAO 477/2019 MAHENDRA .....Appellant Through: Mr. Rajan Sood, Ms. Ashima Sood and Ms. Megha Sood, Advocates versus UNION OF INDIA .....Respondent Through: Mr. Shubash Tanwar, CGSC with Mr.Naveen, Mr. Sandeep Mishra, Mr.Harshit Deshwal, Ms. Priyanka and Ms. Ritu, Advocates CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE MANOJ KUMAR OHRI JUDGMENT CM APPL. 51677/2019 (Seeking condonation of delay of 175 days in filing the appeal) 1. By way of the present application, the applicant/ appellant seeks condonation of delay of 175 days in filing the appeal. 2. Learned counsel for the appellant has submitted that after passing of the impugned judgment, the appellant could not file the present appeal in time on account of paucity of funds and the resultant inability to obtain timely legal advice. It is further submitted that the delay is neither intentional nor deliberate. Signature Not Verified Digitally Signed By:NIJAMUDDEEN ANSARI FAO 477/2019 Page 1 of 6 Signing Date:02.04.2026 19:34:39 3. In this regard, reference may be made to the decision of this Court in Mohsina vs. Union of India1, wherein a delay of 804 days in filing of the appeal was condoned taking into account the socio-economic condition of the claimants, and the beneficial object of the legislation. 4. Having considered the submissions made and the view of the decision in Mohsina (supra), and keeping in view the beneficial nature of the legislation, this Court is satisfied that the appellant has shown sufficient cause for the delay in filing the present appeal. 5. Accordingly, the application is allowed and the delay of 175 days in filing the appeal is condoned. 6. The application is disposed of in the above terms