Ashok Kumar vs State Of Bihar & Ors

The Supreme Court held that the High Court erred in dismissing the writ petition on the grounds of delay and laches, as the appellant had sufficiently explained the delay of four years in filing the petition following the State Government's decision. The Court emphasized that the pendency of a representation or review by the appellant justified the delay, and thus the writ petition should not have been dismissed on procedural grounds. The Court restored the writ petition for a decision on merits, allowing the appeal and setting aside the High Court's orders.