Supreme Court Laments Katiji Condonation Delay, Cites Negative Impact

• The Supreme Court recently expressed strong disapproval of its 1987 *Collector, Land Acquisition v. Katiji* judgment.
• Justices Dipankar Datta and Sheel Nagu stated that the *Katiji* ruling, which condoned a four-day delay, has been overused and has 'driven the nation back'.
• This observation was made while dismissing appeals from Karvy Stock Broking Limited and C Parthasarathy, who sought condonation for delays in challenging SEBI penalties.
• The 1987 *Katiji* judgment advocated a liberal approach to condonation of delay, prioritizing substantial justice over technicalities.
• The Court's current stance signals a potential shift away from the previously liberal interpretation of condonation of delay in India, emphasizing stricter adherence to statutory timelines.

The Court's recent remarks suggest a potential recalibration of the judicial approach to condonation of delay, indicating a move away from the previously liberal stance often associated with the *Katiji* precedent.

The Supreme Court recently voiced significant disapproval regarding its own 1987 judgment in *Collector, Land Acquisition v. Katiji*, asserting that the decision has negatively impacted the nation's legal landscape. This strong observation was made by a bench comprising Justices Dipankar Datta and Sheel Nagu while presiding over a case involving Karvy Stock Broking Limited and its former Chairman and Managing Director, C Parthasarathy. The appeals, which were ultimately dismissed, challenged orders from the Securities Appellate Tribunal (SAT) that had declined to condone delays in contesting penalties imposed by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI).

The Court specifically highlighted that the *Katiji* ruling, which condoned a mere four-day delay, has since been persistently cited by litigants seeking leniency for their own procedural delays. The bench remarked that the country has been "

The Supreme Court's expressed displeasure signals a potential tightening of the previously liberal stance on condonation of delay, making it crucial for lawyers to ensure strict adherence to statutory timelines and prepare for increased scrutiny of any delay applications, as reliance on the *Katiji* precedent may become less effective.

Source: Original reporting via legal news outlet