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2022 (2) TMI 1266 - HC - Indian LawsCondonation of delay of 399 days caused in preferring Appeal - restraint from transferring, alienating or creating interest of any third party in respect of suit property till final disposal of the suit - HELD THAT:- This is an application for consideration of delay caused in preferring Appeal from order. Therefore, the decision let into the condonation of delay as to whether there was sufficient cause or not are to be taken into consideration. The decision based upon the merits of the original case is concerned, has no relevance at this stage because this Court is not dealing with the merits of the case in detail at this stage. Merits needs only to be looked into with a view to see as to whether any legal right is available to the applicant herein or not. Therefore, the decisions relied upon by both the sides as to legality or otherwise of the impugned order of injunction is concerned, has no relevance at this stage. It is axiomatic that condonation of delay is a matter of discretion of the Court. Section 5 of the Limitation Act does not say that such discretion can be exercised only if the delay is within a certain limit. Length of delay is no matter, acceptability of the explanation is the only criterion. Sometimes delay of the shortest range may be uncondonable due to want of acceptable explanation whereas in certain other cases delay of very long range can be condoned as the explanation thereof is satisfactory. Rule of limitation are not meant to destroy the right of parties - While condoning delay the Could should not forget the opposite party altogether. It must be borne in mind that he is a looser and he too would have incurred quiet a large litigation expenses. It would be a salutary guideline that when courts condone the delay due to laches on the part of the applicant the court shall compensate the opposite party for his loss. Considering the prevalent economy condition of the parties as well as even of the Country, the financial crisis can be considered to be one of the grounds for condonation of delay. The pivotal point of consideration would be whether the parties concerned has taken dilatory tactics in proceeding with the matter for initiated any proceedings or whether there is a malafide on his part or not. If there is a malafide attributed and established against the party concerned, then definitely even shortest delay cannot be condoned. It cannot be presumed that a person against whom an interim injunction is operating, would adopt dilatory tactics except in case of compelled circumstances or circumstances out of his control, he may not be in a position to initiate or execute or take appropriate immediate steps against the injunction operating against him - Therefore, it cannot be presumed that the applicant was not proceeding with the matter bonafidely or there was dilatory tactics on his part in initiating the proceedings of Appeal from Order against the impugned order of injunction which is operating against him. Therefore, in present case, the applicant has made out sufficient cause for condonation of delay of 399 days occurred in preferring Appeal from Order. The delay of 399 days caused in preferring Appeal is hereby condoned - Application allowed.
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