SMT. ASHA DEVI & ORS. vs UNION OF INDIA

Judgment text excerpt

* IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI % Reserved on : 19.02.2026 Pronounced on : 13.03.2026 Uploaded on : 13.03.2026 + FAO 23/2024 SMT. ASHA DEVI & ORS. .....Appellants Through: Mr. Rajan Sood, Ms. Ashima Sood, Ms. Megha Sood, Advocates versus UNION OF INDIA .....Respondent Through: Mr. Gaurav Sharma, GP with Ms. Manpreet Kaur and Ms. Archana Kumari, Advocates for UOI CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE MANOJ KUMAR OHRI JUDGMENT CM APPL. 3112/2024(condonation of delay) 1. By way of the present application, the applicants/appellants seek condonation of delay of 595 days in filing the present appeal. 2. Learned counsel for the appellants submits that after the passing of the judgment/order dated 25.02.2022 (hereinafter referred to as “impugned judgment”), the appellants were unable to file the appeal within the prescribed period. It is submitted that the delay is bona fide and neither intentional nor deliberate. It is further submitted that the appellants belong to an economically weak section and due to paucity of funds, could not obtain timely legal advice. In this regard, it is pointed out that the deceased was the sole earning member of the appellants’ family and thus, a liberal approach may be considered by this Court by condoning the delay in question. Signature Not Verified Digitally Signed By:NIJAMUDDEEN ANSARI FAO 23/2024 Page 1 of 8 Signing Date:13.03.2026 17:41:14 3. It is worthwhile to note that in Mohsina v. Union of India1, a Co- ordinate Bench of this Court condoned a delay of 804 days in filing the appeal, taking into account the weak economic status of the appellants/claimants. 4. Considering the facts and circumstances of the present case, and guided by the principle laid down in the aforementioned decision as well as the beneficial nature of the concerned le