Authority: Judge Romesh Verma, District Court, Bilaspur
Order Date: 7 July 2026
Case Overview
- Applicant: National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) represented by Advocate Ms. Sneh Bhimta.
- Respondent: Maya Devi, represented by Advocate Mr. Yuyutsu Singh Thakur.
- Two applications were filed:
1. OMP(M) No. 147 of 2026 – seeking condonation of a 170‑day delay in filing an appeal against the judgment dated 16‑Apr‑2025 passed by the learned District Judge, Bilaspur.
2. OMPST No. 3633 of 2026 – seeking a stay on the operation, implementation and execution of the same judgment and an arbitral award dated 07‑Dec‑2022.
- The delay arose because the certified copy of the impugned judgment was obtained only on 22‑Jul‑2025, with further legal opinion and preparation completed by September 2025.
- The respondent raised no objection to the condonation of delay.
Final Outcome
- The court allowed the condonation application; the 170‑day delay is deemed neither intentional nor willful.
- The appeal is hereby registered and admitted.
- The respondent is directed to file a power of attorney on behalf of the respondent within three weeks.
- Execution of the District Judge’s judgment (16‑Apr‑2025) and the arbitral award (07‑Dec‑2022) is stayed pending the appeal, subject to the appellant/applicant depositing the entire awarded amount together with up‑to‑date interest within eight weeks from the order date.
- The application is disposed of.
Topics: Legal Procedure, Infrastructure Litigation