Authority: Additional Registrar (Judicial) and Hon'ble Judge Romesh Verma
Order Date: 06 July 2026
Case Overview
- Parties: Applicant – National Highways Authority of India (NHAI); Respondent – Meera Devi.
- The notice for service of the sole respondent was issued and deemed duly served on 27.05.2026, but Meera Devi did not appear, resulting in ex‑parte proceedings.
- The applicant filed an application seeking condonation of a 390‑day delay in filing the appeal against the impugned order dated 02.12.2024 passed by the learned District Judge, Mandi.
- Reasons for delay cited: certified copy of the impugned judgment was only received on 07.05.2025 despite request on 01.03.2025; earlier withdrawal of the case from law firm M.V. Kini & Co. due to inefficiency (letters dated 20.09.2023 and 26.03.2024).
- The application was supported by an affidavit and oral submissions from counsel.
Final Outcome
- The Additional Registrar (Judicial) allowed the application, condoning the 390‑day delay; the appeal is therefore admissible.
- The appeal is registered (Arb. Appeal No.______ of 2026) and admitted.
- A post‑admission notice is to be issued to the respondent, returnable within four weeks, with steps to be taken within three days.
- The matter is to be sent for records and listed in due course.
- In OMPST No.70613 of 2025, the court ordered that the appellant/applicant must deposit the entire awarded amount together with up‑to‑date interest within eight weeks from the order date; during this period, execution of the District Judge’s order dated 02.12.2024 and the arbitral award dated 06.04.2023 is stayed.
- All applications are disposed of.
Topics: Legal Proceedings, Appeal Delay, Stay Order