- (1.) In a case of sheer negligence on the part of the authorities, two persons unfortunately lost their lives due to electrocution. They have been awarded compensation by the learned Single Judge vide order under appeal dated 06.02.2014, to the tune of Rs. 22,81,320/- alongwith interest @ 7.5% per annum from 4.8.2003 till realization of the amount.
(2.) The aggrieved authority has preferred this appeal alongwith an application under Section 5 of the Limitation Act, seeking condonation of 268 days' delay in filing the appeal. The only averment made in para No.2 of the application is that the delay is unintentional and has been "occurred due to departmental procedure" and also that "the file had to move from desk to desk after obtaining legal opinion".
(3.) As may be seen, the so called cause disclosed in the application is totally vague, evasive and misleading. The authorities have failed to explain as to why the file kept on moving from desk to desk when it was in their knowledge that the appeal was to be filed within 30 days only. It appears that the decision to file the appeal has been taken as an afterthought. We, thus, do not find any ground to condone the delay. The application is accordingly dismissed.;