The Highway Administrator and Project Director vs. Lal Chand OMP (M) No. 284/2026 06.10.2026 Present: Ms. Sneh Bhimta, Advocate, vice counsel for the appellant. Mr. Maan Singh, Advocate, for respondent No.1. Mr. Baldev Singh Negi, Addl. A.G. for respondent Nos. 2 and 3. OMP (M) No. 284/2026 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 02.01.2025 was applied by the counsel on 14.01.2025 and delivered on 24.02.2025, 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Firm i.e. M/s M.V. Kini & Co. Due to such inefficiency and lackadaisical attitude of the aforesaid Law Firm, cases were withdrawn from it and allotted to M/s Nishank Mattoo & Associates vide letter dated 20.9.2023. On closing of the financial year, 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 Trambali 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. Learned counsels for the non-applicants have no objection for the instant application being allowed. For 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 Heard. Admit. 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 06.10.2026 (pankaj)