JUDGMENT :

R. BANUMATHI, J.

1. Leave granted.

2. This appeal arises out of the impugned order dated 24.04.2018 passed by the High Court of Madras at Madurai Bench in CMP(MD) No.6566 of 2017 in AS(MD) SR No. 27805 of 2017 in and by which the High Court has refused to condone the delay of 546 days in filing the first appeal against the judgment and decree passed in OS No.76 of 2015 dated 09.10.2015.

3. Brief facts which led to filing of this appeal are as follows:-

The appellant-defendant is a businessman doing business of tea and real estate. Case of the respondent-plaintiff is that on 10.01.2015, the appellant approached the respondent-plaintiff for financial assistance for a sum of Rs.45,00,000/-for the purpose of his business needs. The respondent lent him the sum of Rs.45,00,000/-and there was no documentation for the same. According to the respondent, it was agreed that the said amount will be returned to the respondent with an interest of 18% per annum. The appellant agreed to return the said amount within two months; but the appellant has not paid the amount. On the other hand, the appellant is said to have issued two post-dated cheques to the respondent, one for an amount of Rs.