RAMLAL SAHU Vs. DIVISIONAL MANAGER NATIONAL

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The claimants in Claim Case No. 38 of 1976 have filed this appeal against the order dated March 28, 1977, by which the Motor Vehicles Claims Tribunal (the Tribunal) has refused to condone the delay in filing the claim application. On this ground, it has refused to entertain the claim application.

(2.) On April 25, 1976, one Smt. Nuni Devi, while sitting near Naisarai Regional Hospital, was hit by a lorry and died due to the same. Her husband, sons and daughters filed the claim application on December 6, 1976. The limitation for filing the claim application expired on October 25, 1976. They, therefore, filed an application for condoning the delay. By the impugned order that has been refused.

(3.) It was contended on behalf of the appellants that the Tribunal ought to have condoned the delay. The appellants led evidence in support of the fact that the husband (appellant No. 1) was ill from October 20, 1976, to December 6, 1976. On this ground alone they prayed for condonation of delay. It is an admitted fact that the deceased left behind two major sons, appellants Nos. 2 and 3. No explanation was given by the appellants as to what prevented them from filing the application. The Tribunal noticed this and refused the prayer of the appellants.