Suraj @ Suraj Mohan Sharma vs. NHAI & another OMP(M) No. 356 of 2026 17.09.2026 Present: Mr. Anirudh Sharma, Advocate, for the applicant. Mr. Sumit Raj Sharma, Senior Advocate with Mr. Santosh Kumar, Advocate, for respondent No.1. Mr. Baldev Singh Negi, Additional Advocate General, for respondent No.2. OMP(M) No. 356 of 2026 Notice. Mr. Santosh Kumar, Advocate and Mr. Baldev Singh Negi, learned Additional Advocate General, appear and waive service of notice on behalf of respondents No. 1 and 2, respectively. The instant application has been filed for condonation of delay of 126 days in filing the present appeal. It has been contended that the impugned judgment was passed by the learned District Judge, Mandi on 05.01.2026. As per the applicant/appellant, the counsel representing the applicant before the learned District Judge sent a letter to the appellant in the second week of January, 2026. However, the same was not received by him, as the letter was sent on the address at Shimla. The applicant/appellant had gone to Melbourne, Australia to meet his sister, where he remained till 17th April, 2026. A copy of the air tickets has been appended with the present application. The applicant came back to India on 18th April, 2026, and immediately contacted his counsel representing him before the learned District Judge, who apprised him about the decision of the case and advised him to file the present appeal. Thereafter, after obtaining the relevant records, immediate steps were taken for the filing of the instant appeal. The delay in filing the appeal is neither intentional nor wilful, but the same has occurred due to unavoidable circumstances. The learned counsel for the non-applicants have no objection in case the delay in filing the present appeal is condoned. Consequently, the present application is allowed, and the delay of 126 days in filing the appeal is condoned. Application stands disposed of. Arb. Appeal No.____/2026 (ARBAST No. 25448/2026) Appeal be registered. Record be requisitioned. List, immediately thereater for consideration. (Romesh Verma) Judge September 17, 2026 (Nisha)