GURJANT SINGH Vs. STATE OF PUNJAB

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The learned counsel for the respondent has attempted to oppose the application seeking condonation of delay. But having regard to the totality of the circumstances of this case, we find that there had been sufficient and genuine cause for the appellant having not approached this Court within limitation. The application seeking condonation of delay is allowed and delay in filing is condoned. Leave granted.

(2.) The principal challenge in these appeals is to the order dtd. 16/7/2018, as passed by the High Court of Punjab & Haryana, Chandigarh in CRA-S-827-SB-2017 (O&M) whereby, the regular criminal appeal filed by the appellant came to be dismissed, when no one appeared for the appellant and the Court accepted the submission of the State counsel that the appeal was rendered infructuous for the reason that the appellant had served out the sentence. The impugned order dtd. 16/7/2018, a short one, reads as under:-

(3.) On the previous date also, the appellant had gone unrepresented. None is present even today. Learned State counsel submits that the instant petition has been rendered infructuous in view of the fact that the appellant has completed his sentence.