STATE OF JHARKHAND Vs. SALIKA BIBI

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This appeal has been preferred by the State of Jharkhand against the order dated 22.9.2008 passed by the learned Single Judge in W.P (C) No. 1293/2005, by which the learned Single Judge had been pleased to allow the writ petition with a direction to the respondents to grant a sum of Rs. 1 lac by way of compensation to the petitioner's family and employment to an eligible male member of the petitioner's family and also to ensure that adequate police protection is provided to the petitioner and the members of his family, particularly at the petitioner's house. It was directed that the above exercise must be completed within a period of three months from the date of passing of the order of the learned Single Judge.

(2.) The appellant, State of Jharkhand, submitted itself to the impugned order as it had not preferred any appeal against the same, but after expiry of the period of limitation and with a delay of 113 days, it preferred to file an appeal against the impugned order supporting the appeal with the application for condonation of delay. The explanation given out in the application for condonation of delay is hardly satisfactory as it is a repetition of the hackneyed ground that the file travelled from one department to another before a decision could be taken to file an appeal and in that process, the period of limitation for filing the appeal expired.

(3.) Although we are not satisfied with the explanation offered by the appellant State in regard to the delay in filing the appeal, we, in the interest of justice, thought it appropriate to consider the matter on merit ignoring the delay.