Delayed certified copy receipt extends statutory appeal period if bona fide impression existed from prior judgment observations.

O R D E R

Dated this the 8thday of April, 2026Devan Ramachandran, JThis petition has been filed seeking review of the judgment 24.03.2026, not because there is any error in it, but on the assertion that its certified copy was received only on 06.04.2026, within which time, the period for filing the statutory appeal had expired, on 02.04.2026.

2. We notice the judgment is dated 24.03.2026; and we were under the bonafide impression that the appellant would be able to invoke their appellate remedy on the strength of our observations therein, within the statutory period.

3. However, since the certified copy of the judgment appears to have been delivered to the appellant only on 06.04.2026, we are of the firm view that afore period must still be made available to the appellant.

4. In the afore circumstances, we allow this petition; and clarify that if the petitioner is to file a statutory appeal within a period of four working days from the date of receipt of a copy of this order, it shall be construed to have been filed within time.

For the afore purpose, the Authorities will permit the petitioner to upload the appeal, if filed within the afore time, on the online platform without any impediment; and we record that this has been agreed to by Smt.Jasmin – learned Government Pleader.