NHAI vs Prem Lal & another OMP(M) No.376 of 2025 02.04.2026 Present:Mr. Sumeet Raj Sharma, Advocate, for the applicant Mr. Diwakar Dev Sharma, Additional Advocate General, for respondent No.2. The present application has been filed for condonation of delay in filing the present appeal. It has been averred in the application that the applicant had engaged M/s Kini Law Firm to challenge the arbitral award before the learned District Judge, Mandi and thereafter the engaged counsel had opined the applicant that an appeal shall be preferred against the impugned judgment dated 25.06.2025 and only then the applicant acquired the knowledge of the passing of the impugned judgment dated 02.12.2024. It is averred that the copy of the impugned judgment was applied on 11.03.2025 and the same was delivered on 07.05.2025. It has been further contended by the learned counsel for the applicant that the delay in filing the appeal is neither intentional nor willful and the same has occurred due to unavoidable circumstances, which were beyond the control of the applicant. Though private respondent stands served, however, none has put in apearance on his behalf and neither any reply has been filed. Keeping in view the averments as made in the application, which is duly supported by an affidavit and keeping in view the fact that the learned Additional Advocate General has no objection in case delay is condoned, the present application is allowed and the delay of 261 days in filing the present appeal is condoned. Application stands disposed off. Appeal be registered Arb. Appeal No._____of 2026(ARBAST No. 42904/25) OMP No._____2026(OMPST No. 45895 of 2025) Be registered. Heard. Subject to deposit of entire awarded amount alongwith up-to-date interest by the applicant in the Registry of this Court within a period of eight weeks from today, operation, execution and implementation of impugned judgment dated 02.12.2024 passed by the learned District Judge,Mandi and also the arbitral award dated 18.4.2023 shall remain stayed during the pendency of the appeal. The application stands disposed off. ( Romesh Verma) Judge April 02, 2026 ( veena)