1. The present three appeals have been filed by claimants impugning the orders dated 26.4.2004 vide which their claim petitions were finally settled by the Lok Adalat directing respondent No. 1 (Insurer of offending vehicle) to deposit a sum of Rs 1,75,000/- in the claim petition filed by Ramji and another, Rs 3 lacs in the claim petition filed by Sham Singh and others and Rs 1,75,000/- in their third petition filed by Sita Ram and others. Since there is delay of 429 days in filing all the three appeals, three different applications bearing No. 178 of 2005, 179 of 2005 and 180 of 2005 have been filed. The appeals have not been numbered till date on account of the aforesaid delay.

2. Pursuant to notice on all the three applications, Mr. R. K. Gupta has put in appearance on behalf of the Insurance Company and Mr. M.L. Sharma appears for the other two respondents (owner and driver of offending vehicle). The respondents have objected to the application for condonation of delay by filing their respective return.

3. Heard learned counsel for both the sides. At the very outset, Mr. Gupta, learned counsel for the Insurance Company, submits that since he has joined issue on the point of maint

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