$~78 * IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI + LA.APP. 77/2026 DHARAMPAL (DECEASED) THROUGH HIS LRS .....Appellant Through: Mr. Prakyat Solanki & Mr. Abhishek, Advs. versus UNION OF INDIA & ANR. .....Respondents Through: Mr. Sanjay Kumar Pathak, SC with Mr. Sunil Kumar Jha & Mr. M.S. Akhtar, Advs. for UOI CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE AMIT MAHAJAN O R D E R % 27.07.2026 CM APPL. 47491/2026 (for condonation of delay) 1. There is an inordinate delay of 7061 days in filing the appeal accompanied with the present application seeking condonation of delay. 2. The sole reason furnished on behalf of the appellant to seek condonation of delay is that the previous counsel who was contesting the case before the reference court had failed to draft and file the appeal in time. It has further been urged that the previous counsel also delayed in returning all required essential documents to the appellant which led to the delay in filing the present appeal. 3. Even if the case of the appellant is taken at the highest and it is assumed that the appellant was misled, an inordinate delay of 7061 days cannot be categorised as reasonable. It is the duty of the parties This is a digitally signed order. The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above. The Order is downloaded from the DHC Server on 30/07/2026 at 14:57:01 to remain proactive and vigilant while pursuing their rights and remedies, and they cannot be allowed to neglect their rights for several years and suddenly file an appeal. 4. This Court has time and again noted that petitions are filed belatedly and the blame is then put on counsel for not taking appropriate steps or not giving proper advice. If such arguments are accepted by Courts, it would only tantamount to opening a floodgate of litigations where appeals are filed after decades on the premise of ill advice or inappropriate steps by the counsel. 5. It is well settled that while dealing with an application for condonation of delay, a liberal and justice-oriented approach must be adopted by the Courts when ‘sufficient cause’ had been shown by the applicant for not having filed the appeal within the period prescribed. In the present case, the explanations rendered in the application do not constitute sufficient cause for condoning the delay of 7061 days delay in filing the present appeal, rather it reflects the negligence on part of the appellant. 6. In view of the above, this Court finds no ground to condone the delay in filing the accompanying appeal. The application is therefore dismissed. 7. Consequently, the appeal also stands disposed of. AMIT MAHAJAN, J JULY 27, 2026 “SS” This is a digitally signed order. The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above. The Order is downloaded from the DHC Server on 30/07/2026 at 14:57:01