1 I tem No. 21 I N THE HI GH COURT OF MANI PUR AT I MPHAL MC(LA.App.) No. 1 of 2022 State of Manipur & 2 ors. Applicants Vs. Ksh. Rustamkuma Singh Respondent BEFORE HON'BLE MR. JUSTI CE AHANTHEM BI MOL SI NGH 24.02.2025 Heard Mr. Lenin Hijam, learned Advocate General assisted by Ms. Thanyomi Keishing, learned counsel appearing for the applicants. None appeared for the respondent, despite service of notice. By an order dated 29.01.2025, this Court has made it clear that if the respondent did not appear on the next date of hearing, the matter will be proceeded ex-parte. Today also when the matter is taken up, none appeared for the respondents. Accordingly, the matter is proceeded ex-parte. The present application has been filed with a prayer for condoning the delay of 1594 days in preferring the connected appeal. I have heard at length the submission advanced by the learned A.G. with regard to the reasons for the delay in preferring LAIREN MAYUM INDRAJ EET SINGH Digitally signed by LAIRENMAYU M INDRAJEET SINGH Date: 2025.02.24 15:59:03 +05'30' 2 the connected appeal and I have also carefully examined the detailed explanations given by the applicants at paragraph No. 7.1 to 7.3 for condoning the aforesaid delay in preferring the appeal. Taking into consideration the submission advanced by the learned A.G. as well as the detailed explanations given by the applicants in the present application, this Court is of the considered view that interest of justice will be served by condoning the delay and hearing the connected appeal on merit. Accordingly, the delay of 1594 days in preferring the connected appeal is hereby condoned subject to payment of cost of Rs. 20,000/- (Rupees twenty thousand) to be paid by the applicants to the High Court Bar Association, Manipur, for the interest of internally displaced people. Registry is directed to number the connected appeal and list the same for admission hearing on submission of proof of payment of the aforesaid cost. With the aforesaid direction, the present application is disposed of. JUDGE Indrajeet