RAMSATI DEVI Vs. STATE OF BIHAR

JUDGEMENT

(1.) ALL the appellants are widows. Their husbands were called "Monthly Men". This means that they were employees, as it is explained to the Court by counsel for the appellant, of the University. Counsel for the parties are not at issue on this that they received the minimum of the scale at the end of the month.

(2.) THIS is an unfortunate case. What the widows will get, in case they receive a relief, will be a family pension.

(3.) ARISING out of these proceedings the University sought to challenge the order of the learned Judge. The appeal was filed beyond limitation. The order impugned is dated 4 December, 1998. The Letters Patent Appeals No. 714, 731, 750, 751, 753 and 764 of 1999 were filed on 21. June, 1999. Clearly the University was not serious in filing the Letters Patent Appeal. On the ground of latches of an unexplained limitation, the appeals were dismissed. The order of the Court dated 4.2.2000 is reproduced: "This appeal has been filed beyond limitation. There is no order of the Court condoning the delay for filing the appeal beyond limitation. The prayer that the late filing of the appeal be condoned is vehemently opposed on behalf of the respondent petitioner. On perusing the pleadings explaining the delay in filing the appeal, the Court finds that no good reasons have been given as to why this Letters Patent Appeal had not been filed within time. In the circumstances, this appeal is dismissed on the ground of limitation. The interim order dated 13.7.1999 is discharged."