JUDGMENT :

Jaspreet Singh, J.

1. The appellant, National Highway Authority of India has preferred the instant appeal under Section 37 of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 (hereinafter referred to as "the Act of 1996") against the judgment dated 14.05.2019 passed by the District Judge, Pratapgarh in Case M.N.R. No.127 of 2018, whereby the application of the appellant purportedly under Section 34(3) of the Act of 1996 seeking condonation of delay in filing the petition under Section 34(1) of the Act of 1996 has been rejected.

2. Heard Shri Prashant Chandra, learned Senior Advocate assisted by Ms. Samidha, learned counsel for the appellant and Shri G.C. Sinha, learned counsel for the respondent No.1 as well as Ms. Anita Tiwari, learned counsel for the respondents No.2 to 9.

A. FACTUAL MATRIX

In order to appreciate the controversy involved in this appeal, the facts necessary for adjudication are being noted hereinafter.

3. A notification was issued for acquisition of land for the purposes of widening of National Highway 55 on the stretch of land 134.700 km. to 263.000 km., Sultanpur-Varansi Section. The land in question, under acquisition, fell in Village Sonpuri, Paragna & Tehsil P