NHAI  Vs  Soma Devi & Anr. OMP (M) No. 265 of 2026 10.09.2026 Present: Ms. Sneh Bhimta, Advocate, vice Ms. Shreya Chauhan, Advocate, for the applicant. None for the respondents. Notices issued against respondents No. 1 and   2,   received   back   after   due   service.     Despite service, no one put appearance. 2. The applicant has filed the accompanying appeal   under   Section   37   of   Arbitration   and Conciliation   Act,   1996   (hereinafter   referred   to   as ‘the Act’).  Since, the appeal has been filed after the prescribed period of limitation, as such, by way of present application, indulgence of this Court has been sought to condone the delay of 492 days. 3. According   to   the   applicant,   delay   has occurred on account of the fact that the decision of the   case   has   not   been   communicated   to   the applicant   by   the   firm,   which   was   engaged   for pursuing   the   matter.     The   application   is   duly supported   by   the   affidavit   of   Mr.   Varun   Chari, Project Director.  Along with it, copy of letter dated 20.09.2023,   written   to   M/s   Nishaank   Mattoo   & Associates, has also been annexed. 4. Considering   the   said   averments,   which remained   unrebutted   and   uncontroverted,   this Court is of the view that the applicant is able to make out a case, for condonation of delay, as the said   uncontroverted   ground,   falls   within   the definition of ‘sufficient cause’.   Consequently, the application is allowed and the delay in filing the appeal   is   ordered   to   be   condoned.     Application stands disposed of. Arb. Appeal No. ______ of 2026 5. Vide order of the even date, passed in OMP(M) No. 265 of 2026, the delay in filing the appeal, has been ordered to be condoned.  Appeal be registered. 6. Admit. OMPST No. 3963 of 2026 7. Considering   the   fact   that   the   accompanying appeal has been admitted for hearing, which will take sufficient   long   time,   for   its   disposal,   during   the pendency   of   the   appeal,   the   execution   of   the   award dated 05.04.2023, passed in Award No. 231/2020, by the   Divisional   Commissioner,   Mandi,   shall   remain stayed,   subject   to   the   condition   that   the   applicant­ appellant   shall   deposit   the   entire   awarded   amount, along with up­to­date interest, within a period of eight weeks, from today.  The application stands disposed of. 8. Alteration/ modification/ vacation on motion. ( Virender Singh ) Judge 10th September, 2026 (Pramod Kumar)