RAKESH @ RAJU vs UNION OF INDIA

Judgment text excerpt

* IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI % Reserved on : 06.04.2026 Pronounced on : 07.04.2026 Uploaded on : 07.04.2026 + FAO 476/2019 RAKESH @ RAJU .....Appellant Through: Mr. Rajan Sood, Ms. Ashima Sood and Ms. Megha Sood, Advocates versus UNION OF INDIA .....Respondent Through: Ms.Pratima N. Lakra, CGSC with Ms.Kiran Dharam, Mr. Shailednra Kumar Mishra and Ms. Upanita S., Advocates CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE MANOJ KUMAR OHRI JUDGMENT CM APPL. 51620/2019 (Seeking condonation of delay of 922 days in filing the appeal) 1. By way of the present application, theappellant seeks condonation of delay of 922 days in filing the appeal. 2. Learned counsel for the appellantsubmits that the appellantbelongs to an economically weaker section and, due to paucity of funds, was unable to get in contact with a counsel and obtain timely legal advice. 3. It is further submitted that the appellant had suffered grievous injuries resulting in a permanent disability, and was undergoing prolonged medical Signature Not Verified FAO 476/2019 Page 1 of Digitally Signed6 By:NIJAMUDDEEN ANSARI Signing Date:07.04.2026 17:40:50 treatment and rehabilitation. Owing to his precarious physical condition, coupled with financial constraints, the appellant was not in a position to pursue legal remedies within the prescribed period. 4. 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. Similarly, this Court in “Shalini Gihar vs. Union of India”2, allowed the application, and a delay of 1122 days was condoned, considering the financial hardship of the appellants and the surrounding circumstances. 5. The Railways Act, 1989 and the Railways Clai