IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA CIVIL  APPELLATE JURISDICTION

CIVIL  APPEAL  NO.  5824      OF 2009 [Arising out of SLP(C) No. 22899/2008]

  PHULIA AND ORS. ... APPELLANT(S)

:VERSUS:

  KOUSHAL PRASAD AND ANR. ... RESPONDENT(S)

O R D E R We  have  heard  the  learned  counsel  for  the  

parties.  Leave granted. In this matter the High Court has dismissed the  

second appeal on the ground that it was filed after 53  days of limitation period.  The High Court in its order  has mentioned that the appellants are very poor and are  not  conversant  with  the  legal  intricacies  of  the  matter.  But this fact did not weigh with the High  Court and it did not condone the delay of 53 days and  dismissed the  second appeal.   

In the facts and circumstances of this case, we  deem it appropriate to condone the delay of 53 days in  filing  the  second  appeal.  Accordingly,  the  impugned  order is set aside and the matter is remitted to the  High  Court  to  decide  the  Second  Appeal  No.730/2006

afresh on merits.   

-2-

As the matter is pending since 2006, we request  the  High  Court  to  decide  the  second  appeal  as  expeditiously as possible.  

The  appeal  is  disposed  of  with  the  aforementioned observation and direction.

....................J (DALVEER BHANDARI)

....................J   (Dr. MUKUNDAKAM SHARMA)    NEW DELHI, AUGUST 24, 2009.