Supreme Court: Liberal Approach Can Be Adopted In Condoning Delay When Case's Merit Needs Examination

The Supreme Court in the case Inder Singh Versus The State Of Madhya Pradesh observed that although a delay cannot be condoned without sufficient cause, the case's merit cannot be discarded which being solely on the technical grounds of limitation.

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The court stated that a liberal approach should be taken in condoning delays when the limitation ground undermines the merits of the case and obstructs substantial justice.

The court in the case observed that, 'There can be no quarrel which being on the settled principle of law that delay cannot be condoned without sufficient cause, but a major aspect which has to be kept in mind is that, if in a particular case, the merits have to be examined, it should not be scuttled merely on the basis of limitation.'

The bench comprising of Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia and Justice Ahsanuddin Amanullah was hearing the present matter.

The bench in the case was hearing the matter wherein the Appellant claimed ownership rights over the suit property or land, which was classified as grazing land under the ownership of the MP Government and was allocated for the public purpose.