2008 INSC 0393
                                    SUPREME COURT OF INDIA

                                       South Eastern Coalfields Ltd

                                                      Vs.

                                                  Natthu Lal

                                           C.A.No.4951 of 2001

                                   (Tarun Chatterjee and H.S.Bedi,JJ.)

                                                 12.02.2008

                                                   ORDER

1. In spite of due service on the respondent, no one has entered appearance on his beha lf.
This appeal is directed against an order dt.16.10.2000 passed by the High Court of M adhya
Pradesh, Jabalpur in M.A.No.2049 of 2000 by which the application for condonation of
delay o f 35 days in filing the appeal was rejected. Having heard the learned counsel for the
appellant and after going through the appli cation for condonation of delay as also the
materials on record, we are of the view that the Divisi on Bench of the High Court was not
justified in rejecting the application for condonation of delay of 35 days in filing the appeal
as we are of the view that the statements made in the application do co nstitute sufficient
cause for condonation of delay in filing the appeal. Accordingly, we set aside t he impugned
order and allow the application for condonation of delay in filing the appeal. We, however,
request the High Court to decide the appeal on merits and in acc ordance with law at an early
date and preferably within a period of three months from the date of communi cation of this
Order. The appeal is allowed to the extent indicated above. There shall be no order as to cost

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