Page No.# 1/3 GAHC010082122026 2026:GAU- AS:13692-DB THE GAUHATI HIGH COURT (HIGH COURT OF ASSAM, NAGALAND, MIZORAM AND ARUNACHAL PRADESH) Case No. : I.A.(Civil)/2014/2026 THE STATE OF ASSAM REPRESENTED BY THE DIRECTOR OF TOURISM, ASSAM, GOVT. OF ASSAM. VERSUS GROUP M MEDIA INDIA PVT. LTD. AND 4 ORS. A COMPANY INCORPORATED UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF COMPANIES ACT, 1956, HAVING ITS REGISTERED OFFICE AT COMMERZ, 8TH FLOOR, INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS PART, OBEROI GARDEN CITY, OFF. WESTERN EXPRESS HIGHWAY, GOREGAON (EAST), MUMBAI- 400063 AND ALSO HAVING ITS OFFICE AND CARRYING ON BUSINESS FROM KOLKATA HAVING ITS LOCAL ADDRESS AT 30, BONDED ROAD, KOLKATA- 700019, REPRESENTED BY ITS MANAGING DIRECTOR SHRI GAUTAM GANGULI 2:GAUTAM GANGULI SON OF DR. DEBA PRASHAD GANGULI R/O D.L 148 SECTOR-2 SALT LAKE KOLKATA- 700091 3:THE STATE OF ASSAM REPRESENTED BY THE COMMISSIONER AND SECRETARY TO TOURISM DEPARTMENT DISPUR GUWAHATI-6 4:THE PRINCIPAL SECRETARY TO THE GOVT. OF ASSAM TOURISM DEPARTMENT GOVT. OF ASSAM Page No.# 2/3 DISPUR GUWAHATI-06. 5:THE SECRETARY FINANCE DEPARTMENT DISPUR GUWAHATI- 0 Advocate for the Petitioner : MR. D K SARMAH, Advocate for the Respondent : MR. A K BHUYAN, N.R. SHARMA,MS. P KASHYAP,P BHOWMICK,MR. P GAYON,MR. A KHOUND,MS. N CHOUDHURY,MS. B BHUYAN BEFORE HONOURABLE THE CHIEF JUSTICE MR. ASHUTOSH KUMAR HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE ARUN DEV CHOUDHURY ORDER 16-09-2026 (Arun Dev Choudhury, J) 1. We have heard Ms. M. Bhattacharya, learned Additional Senior Government Counsel, for the applicant/appellant. Also heard Mr. N. R. Sharma, learned counsel, for the respondents/opposite parties. 2. The present Interlocutory Application has been filed by the applicant/appellant seeking condonation of the delay of 254 days in preferring the connected writ appeal against the Judgment and Order dated 14.07.2025, passed by learned Single Judge in WP(C) No.7324/2013. 3. Perused the averments made in the present application. 4. After going through the averments made in the application, we are satisfied that the applicant/appellant has sufficiently explained the reasons of delay and has been able to substantiate that the reason beyond its control. We do not see any Page No.# 3/3 negligence, lack of bona-fide or inaction on the part of the applicant/appellant. 5. Thus, having considered the explanation tendered by the applicant/appellant, this Court is satisfied that the delay occasioned in preferring the connected writ appeal was neither deliberate nor actuated by negligence but resulted from bona-fide circumstances beyond the control of the applicant/appellant. In the absence of gross laches or mala-fide intention attributable to the applicant/appellant, this Court would lean in favour of the adjudication on merits. 6. Accordingly, in the interest of justice and having satisfied that the causes shown are sufficient to condone the delay, we deem it appropriate to condone the delay. 7. Accordingly, the instant Interlocutory Application stands disposed of. 8. Registry shall process the connected Writ Appeal and, if the same is found defect free, list it on 25.11.2026 under the appropriate heading. JUDGE CHIEF JUSTICE Comparing Assistant