ASIAM STUDIO PVT LTD Vs. UNION OF INDIA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Rule Ld. Counsel Mr. Akshay Mehta waives service of rule on behalf of the respondents in both the petitions.

(2.) On behalf of the petitioners grievance is made before this Court that the Commissioner of Appeals, Central Excise & Customs, Ahmedabad, passed an order on 30.11.1999 in both the matters (By common order), without hearing the petitioners and thus there is gross violation of principles of natural justice. When there is an application for condonation of delay and if the authorities are not inclined to condone the delay, the authorities should hear the parties. Ld. Counsel for the petitioners submitted that the Special Civil Application No. 5921 of 1998, preferred against the order passed by the said Commissioner, as delay of 35 days was not condoned, this Court had allowed the petition and the delay was condoned. He submitted that the order was passed by the Division Bench on 18.8.1998. It is required to be noted that the person who causes the delay is likely to suffer. But when the delay is explained by him same is, required to be taken into consideration unless the explanation is appearing palpably false. But that can be said only tiler hearing the party.

(3.) Our attention has been drawn to the decision of this Court in Special Civil Application No. 5921 of 1998, wherein the delay of 35 days has been condoned. It is required to be noted that, when sufficient cause is shown the delay should be condoned. From the order it appears that the application has been considered not in the proper spirit and therefore we quash and set aside the impugned order dated 30.11.1999, with a direction to decide the applications on merits afresh after giving opportunity of hearing to the petitioners. With these observations we allow both the petitions. Rule made absolute in each of the petitions. No Costs.