JUDGMENT :

Nani Tagia, J.

1. Heard Mr. T.T. Tara, learned counsel for the applicant/returned candidate and Mr. D. Mazumdar, learned Senior Counsel for the opposite party/election petitioner.

2. This is an application under Order VIII Rule 1 read with Section 151 of the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908(CPC) seeking leave to admit the written statement filed beyond the period of 90 days [The prayer column of this application having been amended by the order of this Court dated 17.03.2021 in IA(C)42(AP)2021].

3. The applicant is the respondent No. 1 in Election Petition No. 01 (AP)2019, and a returned candidate as a Member of Legislative Assembly of 44 Tezu (ST) Assembly Constituency in the 2019 General Election held for constitution of the Legislative Assembly in the State of Arunachal Pradesh.

4. The respondent No. 1 as an election petitioner had filed the Election Petition No. 01 (AP) 2019 assailing the election of the applicant as a Member of Legislative Assembly of 44 Tezu (ST) Assembly Constituency in the 2019 General Election held for constitution of the Legislative Assembly in the State of Arunachal Pradesh. The applicant states that he had received the Election petition No. 01(AP)201