Milap Chandra Jain, J. - (1.) These appeals have been filed under Section 110-D, Motor Vehicles Act, 1939 along with an application under Section 5, Limitation Act for the condonation of delay of 162 days.
(2.) It has been contended by the learned counsel for the appellant that the Tribunal gave composite award in respect of six cases, S B. Civil Misc. Appeal No. 166/88, Rajasthan State Road Transport Corporation v. Bhanwari Devi was filed in time challenging the award, the appellant remained under the impression that it was not necessary to file appeal in other cases and as such applications for obtaining certified copies were moved in remaining cases after the expiry of period of limitation. He further contended that delay occurred on account of the procedural wrangles and the employees of the appellant were on strike during January, 1989 and the delay was not wilful. He relied upon Land Acquisition Officer, Ananatnag v. Katiji, AIR 1987 SC 1353 and G. Ramadauda v. SLAO, Bangalore, AIR 1988 SC 897.
(3.) In reply, it has been contended by the learned counsel for the respondents that the delay occurred was deliberate, no satisfactory explanation has been put forward for the delay of 162 days, even after obtaining certified copies of the award, there has been great delay on account of carelessness and negligence of the Officer-In-charge of the appellant in filing the appeals and in any view of the matter the appellant has failed to give sufficient cause for the said inordinate delay in filing the appeals.;