ORDER :

1. Feeling aggrieved and dissatisfied with the impugned order dated 04.09.2020 passed by the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, New Delhi (hereinafter referred to as the ‘National Commission’) in First Appeal No. 1999/2018, by which the National Commission has dismissed the said appeal confirming the order passed by the Karnataka State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (hereinafter referred to as the ‘State Commission’) dated 26.09.2018 rejecting the application filed by the petitioners herein seeking condonation of delay in filing the written version/written statement to the consumer complaint, original respondent nos. 1 and 2-petitioners herein have preferred the present special leave petition.

2. By order dated 26.09.2018, the State Commission rejected the application filed by the petitioners herein seeking condonation of delay in filing the written statement/written version to the consumer complaint. It is not in dispute that the written version/written statement was filed beyond the prescribed period of limitation provided under the Consumer Protection Act, 1986 (hereinafter referred to as the ‘Act’), i.e. beyond the period of 45 days. It is not in dis