LAKHABHAI ANADABHAI SAVSETAversusPRAKASH KUMAR KHER
- Disposal
- 36-MCA DISPOSED OF
- Bench
- GITA GOPI
Holding
The delay of 77 days in filing the revision application is condoned.
Summary
The applicant filed a criminal miscellaneous application seeking condonation of a 77‑day delay in filing a revision petition. The applicant asserted that a No‑Objection Certificate had been obtained from the bank and the full amount had been deposited, justifying the delay. The court referred to the Supreme Court’s decision in Collector, Land Acquisition, Anantnag and Another v. Mst. Katiji and Others (AIR 1987 SC 1353), emphasizing the liberal approach under Section 5 of the Indian Limitation Act, 1963 to allow substantial justice. Applying this principle, the court found the delay sufficiently explained and not deliberate. Consequently, the court condoned the 77‑day delay and allowed the application, directing that the main revision petition be listed immediately.
Issues considered
- Whether a delay of 77 days in filing a revision application can be condoned under Section 5 of the Indian Limitation Act, 1963.
Legislation cited
Subjects
Judgment
R/CR.MA/10415/2025 ORDER DATED: 30/04/2026
IN THE HIGH COURT OF GUJARAT AT AHMEDABAD
R/CRIMINAL MISC.APPLICATION (FOR CONDONATION OF DELAY) NO.
10415 of 2025
In F/CRIMINAL REVISION APPLICATION/19328/2025
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LAKHABHAI ANADABHAI SAVSETA
Versus
PRAKASH KUMAR KHER & ANR.
==========================================================
Appearance:
PRASHANT V CHAVDA(8510) for the Applicant(s) No. 1
MR NAHUH H PATEL(10530) for the Respondent(s) No. 1
MR RAJAN D SHAH(3101) for the Respondent(s) No. 1
MR NIRAJ SHARMA APP for the Respondent(s) No. 2
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CORAM:HONOURABLE MS. JUSTICE GITA GOPI
Date : 30/04/2026
ORDER
1. The present application has been filed for
condonation of delay of 77 days caused in filing the
revision application.
2. Learned advocate for the applicant states that NOC
has been given by the Bank and total amount has been
deposited and thus, prayed to condone the delay.
3. In the case of Collector, Land Acquisition,
Anantnag and Another v. Mst. Katiji and Others
reported in AIR 1987 SC 1353 it has been observed as
under :-
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R/CR.MA/10415/2025 ORDER DATED: 30/04/2026
“3. The legislature has conferred the power to
condone delay by enacting Section 5 of the Indian
Limitation Act of 1963 in order to enable the
Courts to do substantial justice to parties by
disposing of matters on 'merits'. The expression
"sufficient cause" employed by the legislature is
adequately elastic to enable the courts to apply the
law in a meaning- ful manner which subserves the
ends of justice that being the life-purpose for the
existence of the institution of Courts. It is common
knowledge that this Court has been making a
justifiably liberal approach in matters instituted in
this Court. But the message does not appear to
have percolated down to all the other Courts in the
hierarchy. And such a liberal approach is adopted
on principle as it is realized that:-
1. Ordinarily a litigant does not stand to benefit by
lodging an appeal late.
2. Refusing to condone delay can result in a
meritorious matter being thrown out at the very
threshold and cause of justice being defeated. As
against this when delay is con- doned the highest
that can happen is that a cause would be decided
on merits after hearing the parties.
3. "Every day's delay must be explained" does not
mean that a pedantic approach should be made.
Why not every hour's delay, every second's delay?
The doctrine must be applied in a rational common
sense pragmatic manner.
4. When substantial justice and technical
considerations are pitted against each other, cause
of substantial justice deserves to be preferred for
the other side cannot claim to have vested right in
injustice being done because of a non-deliberate
delay.
5. There is no presumption that delay is occasioned
deliberately, or on account of culpable negligence,
or on account of mala fides. A litigant does not
stand to benefit by resorting to delay. In fact he
runs a serious risk.
6. It must be grasped that judiciary is respected
not on account of its power to legalize injustice on
technical grounds but because it is capable of
removing injustice and is expected to do so.”
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R/CR.MA/10415/2025 ORDER DATED: 30/04/2026
4. In view of the principle laid down in the above
referred judgment and considering the averments made
in the application and as the delay is sufficiently
explained, the matter requires decision on merits. Hence,
delay of 77 days caused in filing the revision application
is condoned. The application is allowed.
The main revision application be listed today itself.
(GITA GOPI,J)
Pankaj/66
Original copy of this order has been signed by the Hon'ble Judge.
Digitally signed by: PANKAJ KUMAR PRASAD(HC00967), PRINCIPAL PRIVATE SECRETARY, at High Court of Gujarat on 30/04/2026 17:32:40
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