NHAI vs. Pyare Lal OMP (M) No. 152/2026 3.7.2026 Present: Ms. Sneh Bhimta, Advocate, vice counsel for the applicant. Mr. Malay Kaushal, Advocate, for the respondent. Mr. Malay Kaushal, Advocate, has put in appearance on behalf of the respondent by filing memo of appearance. He prays for and is granted two weeks’ time to file power of attorney. The present application has been filed for condonation of delay in filing the main appeal. It has been averred in the application that even though copy of the impugned judgment, dated 3.6.2025 was applied on 21.06.2025 and delivered on 22.7.2025, however disposal of the case was not within the knowledge of the applicant as the same was never intimated to the applicant by its counsel/Law Firm i.e. M/s M.V. Kini & Co. Due to such inefficiency and lackadaisical attitude of the aforesaid Law Firm, cases were withdrawn from it vide letters dated 20.9.2023 and 26.3.2024. When the applicant inquired from all the Law Firms about pendency of all the cases pending in various Forums, it came to the knowledge of the applicant that objection petitions pertaining to Muhal Bhated have already been disposed of. Accordingly prompt action was taken for preparation of the appeal. Thus, the aforesaid delay is neither intentional nor deliberate, but has occurred due to unavoidable circumstances, which were beyond the control of the applicant. The learned counsel for the respondent has opposed the application. In view of the reasons stated in the application, more particularly, paras 3 to 5 thereof, which is duly supported by an affidavit, coupled with submissions made by the learned vice counsel for the applicant, delay in filing the main appeal is condoned. Appeal be registered. Application stands disposed of. Arb. Appeal No. /2026 Admit. Learned vice counsel for the appellant undertakes to supply a complete copy of paper-book to the learned counsel for the respondent during the course of the day. Send for the records. List in due course. OMP No. /2026 Be registered. Heard. Subject to the applicant’s depositing entire awarded amount along with upto date interest in the Registry of this Court within a period of eight weeks from today, operation, implementation and execution of the impugned judgment as also the impugned arbitral award, shall remain stayed during the pendency of the appeal. Application stands disposed of. (Romesh Verma) Judge 3.7.2026 (pankaj)