The tenants are the petitioners. The respondent- landlord filed eviction petitions in R.C.O.P. Nos.21 of 1994, 15 of 1994 and 18 of 1994 respectively before the Rent Controller, Chengalpattu for evicting the petitioner under Sec.l4(l)(b) of the Tamil Nadu Buildings (Lease and Rent Control) Act. The petitioners have received the summons in the R.C.O.Ps. and they engaged counsel and filed a memo to the effect that the petitions may be allowed without costs by granting six months time to the petitioners for vacating the premises. On the basis of the memo, the Rent Controller has passed order of eviction on 9.1.1995. After the six months period lapsed, the respondent has taken out E.P., proceedings to recover possession. At this stage, the petitioners have filed the applications LA. Nos.644,642 and 646 of 1995 respectively for condoning the delay in filing the appeal against the order in R.C.O.Ps.

2. The petitioners’ averment in the affidavit filed in support of the petitions for condoning the delay is that after receipt of the notice in the R.C.O.P. proceedings, the respondent- landlord approached them for settlement and in order to enter into the settlement, for withdrawing