ORDER :

1. The appellants before this Court, in the first instance, impugned the award rendered by the Chief Engineer on 30.06.2005, by preferring an appeal before the District Judge, Nagpur. The District Judge, Nagpur, declined to entertain the appeal on merits, as he found the same barred by limitation, and as such, the application for condonation of delay was dismissed. The District Judge, Nagpur in his order dated 23.12.2005 recorded as under:

“17. In nut-shell, what emerges from the material placed on the record is that the applicants or in other words, party making application under Section 34” duly received the award on 4.7.2005, but approached this Court on 18.11.2005. Time in between 4.7.2005 and 18.11.2005 was consumed in taking administrative decision. Beyond statutory period of limitation of three months, further period of thirty days can be condoned, but not thereafter. On 4.11.2005, entire period of four months elapsed. In this view of the matter, this Court has no jurisdiction to entertain the application for condonation of delay and for that matter, application under Section 34 of the Act.”

2. The order dated 23.12.2005 was assailed by the appellants before the High Co