ORIENTAL INSURANCE COMPANY LIMITEDversusMINABEN WD/O NILESHBHAI RASUBHAI DINDOR
- Disposal
- 53-ALLOWED / GRANTED @ ADM.STAGE
- Bench
- HASMUKH D SUTHAR
Holding
The court condoned the 88‑day delay and allowed the application for condonation of delay.
Summary
The Oriental Insurance Company Limited filed an application under Section 5 of the Limitation Act seeking condonation of an 88‑day delay in filing its First Appeal. The respondents did not appear as notice was not received. The court examined whether the delay was justified and whether it warranted liberal consideration to further substantial justice. Relying on the principle that limitation provisions should not defeat substantive rights and citing the Supreme Court’s decision in N. Balakrishnan v. N. Krishnamurthy, the judge found the applicant’s reasons bona fide and not dilatory. Consequently, the court condoned the delay and allowed the application.
Issues considered
- Whether an 88‑day delay in filing a First Appeal can be condoned under Section 5 of the Limitation Act
Legislation cited
- Limitation Acts. 5
Subjects
Judgment
C/CA/5442/2025 ORDER DATED: 20/01/2026
IN THE HIGH COURT OF GUJARAT AT AHMEDABAD
R/CIVIL APPLICATION (FOR CONDONATION OF DELAY) NO. 5442 of
2025
In F/FIRST APPEAL/29139/2025
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ORIENTAL INSURANCE COMPANY LIMITED
Versus
MINABEN WD/O NILESHBHAI RASUBHAI DINDOR & ORS.
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Appearance:
MR MITESH L RANGRAS(3324) for the Applicant(s) No. 1
NOTICE NOT RECD BACK for the Respondent(s) No. 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8
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CORAM:HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE HASMUKH D. SUTHAR
Date : 20/01/2026
ORAL ORDER
1. Though served, notice not received and hence, none appears for the
respondents.
2. This application is led under Section 5 of the Limitation Act for
condonation of delay of 88 days caused in ling the First Appeal.
3. It is submitted by the learned advocate for the applicant that the
applicant could not le First Appeal in timely fashion because of the reasons
mentioned in the application and therefore, has requested to condone the
delay caused in ling the First Appeal.
4. Considering the submissions made by the learned advocates for the
respective parties, the applicant has mentioned su'cient cause for
condonation of delay. The primary function of the Court is to adjudicate the
dispute between the parties and to advance substantial justice. Rules of
limitation are not meant to destroy the rights of parties. The Court is aware
of the fact that denial to condone the delay would mean to dismiss the First
Appeal at threshold and there is no presumption that the delay caused by
the applicant is deliberate. In view thereof, the words ‘su'cient cause’
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C/CA/5442/2025 ORDER DATED: 20/01/2026
under Section 5 of the Limitation Act should receive a liberal consideration
so as to advance substantial justice. Even reason stated appears to be
bona de and genuine. There is no smack of mala de or dilatory tactics on
the part of the applicant. Further, it is apposite to refer to the decision of
the Hon’ble Apex Court in the case of N. Balakrishnan v. N. Krishnamurthy
reported in (1998) 7 SCC 123.
5. In view of the above, the delay of 88 days as explained in memo of
the application is condoned. The application is accordingly allowed.
(HASMUKH D. SUTHAR,J)
SUCHIT
Original copy of this order has been signed by the Hon'ble Judge.
Digitally signed by: PATEL SUCHIT JAYESHBHAI(HC01083), Private Secretary, at High Court of Gujarat on 20/01/2026 14:49:43
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