INSPECTOR-GENERAL OF POLICE, PUNJAB, LAHORE and 2 others vs FAZAL
This matter arises from a petition for leave to appeal against the judgment dated 29-10-1996 passed by the Punjab Service Tribunal, Lahore in Appeal No. 456 of 1994. The core legal question before the Supreme Court was whether departmental correspondence and movement of the matter between higher authorities constitute sufficient ground for condoning a substantial delay of 132 days in filing the petition. The Court held that departmental correspondence and administrative delays within government departments do not constitute a valid ground for the condonation of delay. Consequently, the petition was dismissed as time-barred and leave to appeal was refused. The key principle laid down is that inter-departmental correspondence and routine administrative delays within government ranks do not furnish a sufficient or lawful excuse for extending the period of limitation for filing legal proceedings.
- Whether departmental correspondence between government authorities constitutes a valid ground for condoning delay in filing a petition?
- Can a petition for leave to appeal be entertained when it is admittedly barred by time without a sufficient cause recognized by law?
ORDER
' IRSHAD HASAN KHAN, J.---Leave to appeal is sought against the judgment dated 29-10-1996 passed by the Punjab Service Tribunal, Lahore in Appeal No,456 of 1994.
2. the petition is admittedly barred by 132 days. The delay is sought to be condoned on the ground that the matter was moved before the higher authorities and that took some time in correspondence between different departments of the Government.
3. We are afraid the plea raised by the petitioners cannot be accepted as a valid ground for condemnation of delay. The petition for leave to appeal being barred by time is hereby dismissed and leave to appeal is refused.