IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
MANINDRA MOHAN SHRIVASTAVA, CJ, G.ARUL MURUGAN
District Collector, Coimbatore District – Appellant
Versus
Susindhiran Palaniswamy – Respondent
ORDER :
1. In support of the prayer seeking condonation of delay of 1227 days, all that has been stated in the affidavit is as below:
“14. I humbly submit that the Respondent herein gave the representation dated 29.12.2023 that the Patta should be given to him and pursuant to such representation. There is also an order passed in W.P.No.10293 of 2015 dated 18.08.2022 for complying with the above order files could not be traced. After the representation of the respondent dated 29.12.2023, a search was made and some files from the old cases were traced from the said file reveals what is stated earlier about the suppression and dismissal of the earlier Writ Petitions after tracing of the file in view of the revelations, it is decided not to follow the opinion given on 10.10.2022 and so it is decided to get a new opinion and opinion was got on 14.08.2025 and after that immediately the present appeal is filed.
15. I humbly submit that immediately thereafter the opinion was obtained on 14.08.2025 for preparing the present appeal. The present appeal is filed. The officials were also transferred. Now there is a delay of 1227 days in filing the Writ Appeal. The delay is neither wilful nor wanto
State authorities are held to strict standards in explaining delays in litigation; administrative lethargy is insufficient for condoning delays.
State bodies must provide substantial reasons for delay in legal filings, as administrative inefficiencies do not constitute sufficient cause for condonation.
Government agencies must provide sufficient justification for delays in legal filings; bureaucratic inefficiencies are not valid grounds for condonation of delay.
The court emphasized that administrative inaction does not justify delay in legal proceedings, and that adequate cause must be shown, especially by State authorities.
Administrative inefficiencies alone do not constitute sufficient cause for condoning delays, and government entities must demonstrate diligence in litigation.
Sufficient cause for condonation of delay must be established; administrative inefficiencies are not valid grounds for extending time limits.
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