Authority: National Company Law Appellate Tribunal Principal Bench, New Delhi
Order Date: 12th August, 2026
Case Overview
This interlocutory application (IA No.5665/2026) was filed by the Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) seeking extension of time for curing defects in their appeal filing. The appellant (EPFO) had originally e-filed the Memorandum of Appeal on 17th March, 2026. The NCLAT office scrutinized the appeal on 24th March, 2026 and intimated the defects to the appellant on the same day. The appellant refiled the appeal on 4th August, 2026 with a delay of 126 days beyond the stipulated 7-day period for curing defects. The appellant cited several reasons for the delay including time taken for obtaining internal approvals from competent authority, administrative processing within the department, collating records, obtaining signatures and stamps of the Authorized Representative on annexures, and typing/translating documents. Additional reasons included simultaneous preparation of nine other defect-free appeals and the engagement of panel counsel in appearances before various District Courts, High Courts, and the Supreme Court of India.
Final Outcome
The Registrar, after perusing the averments in the IA and office report, noted that none appeared on behalf of the appellant. The case was directed to be placed before the Hon'ble Bench with the defect for appropriate orders. The matter was listed before the Hon'ble Bench under the heading 'for admission with defect (fresh case)'.
Topics: NCLAT Procedure, Appeal Filing Delay, EPFO Case