AARTI & ORS vs UNION OF INDIA

Judgment text excerpt

* IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI % Reserved on : 12.05.2026 Pronounced on : 15.05.2026 Uploaded on : 15.05.2026 + FAO 64/2020 AARTI & ORS. .....Appellants Through: Mr. Rajan Sood, Ms. Ashima Sood, Ms. Megha Sood, Advocates versus UNION OF INDIA .....Respondent Through: Mr. Vedansh Anand (SPC) with Ms. Priya Jain, Mr. Kush Garg and Mr. Mohit Bhardwaj, Advocates CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE MANOJ KUMAR OHRI JUDGMENT CM APPL.4684/2020 (Seeking condonation of delay of 567 days in filing the appeal) 1. By way of the present application, the appellants seek condonation of delay of 567 days in filing the appeal. 2. Learned counsel for the appellants submits that after passing of the judgment dated 10.04.2018, the appellants were unable to file the appeal within the prescribed time. It is further submitted that the appellants belong to an economically weaker section, and due to paucity of funds, were unable to get in contact with a counsel and obtain timely legal advice. Signature Not Verified Digitally Signed By:NIJAMUDDEEN ANSARI FAO 64/2020 Page 1 of 6 Signing Date:15.05.2026 18:59:28 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. The Railways Act, 1989 and the Railways Claims Tribunal Act, 1987 arise out of beneficial and social welfare legislation intended to provide compensation to victims of railway accidents and untoward incidents. In such matters, a liberal and justice-oriented approach is required while considering applications for condonation of delay so that genuine claims are not defeated on technical grounds. 5. Considering the peculiar facts and circumstances of the present case, and