2026 Supreme(Online)(Mad) 43868

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
R.Kalaimathi, J
Oriental Insurance Co. Ltd. – Appellant
Versus
Minor V.Ujval Vinoth – Respondent
C.M.P.No.19678 of 2025 in C.M.A.SR.No.95333 of 2025

An inordinate delay, such as 938 days, in filing an appeal cannot be condoned based on vague justifications like 'administrative reasons' as it fails to establish 'sufficient cause' under the law.

Headnote:The present petition was filed under S. 173(1) of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, seeking to condone a significant delay of 938 days in filing an appeal against the judgment and decree passed by the Motor Accident Claims Tribunal. The petitioner cited administrative reasons for the delay in the appellate filing process. The Court assessed the adequacy of the explanation provided for the delay. The core issue before the court was whether the stated administrative reasons constituted sufficient cause to condone a delay of 938 days. The Court reasoned that the explanation offered by the petitioner for such an inordinate delay failed to meet the threshold of 'sufficient cause' required for condonation under the governing legal provisions. The final result is the dismissal of the petition for condonation of delay and the subsequent rejection of the Civil Miscellaneous Appeal at the SR stage.