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  • Section 21(b) of the Consumer Protection Act, 1986 (for short, Act)
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Citation Codes
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citation codes
Case Number
Attorney(S)
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  • Section 21(b) of the Consumer Protection Act, 1986 (for short, Act)
Smart Summary

Factual and Procedural Background

The petitioner filed a Consumer Complaint before the District Forum seeking compensation of Rs. 8 lakhs for loss of wheat and damage to a machine. The respondent contested the complaint. The District Forum dismissed the complaint on 06.05.2014, holding that the tractor was used in violation of the insurance policy terms. The petitioner appealed to the State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (State Commission), which dismissed the appeal for want of prosecution due to the petitioner’s failure to file a certified copy of the impugned order despite being granted adjournments. Subsequently, the petitioner filed a revision petition under Section 21(b) of the Consumer Protection Act, 1986, along with an application for condonation of delay of 60 days (noted as 51 days by the office). The petitioner claimed illness (jaundice) as the reason for delay but did not provide medical evidence. The court heard arguments on the condonation application and the merits before delivering the order.

Legal Issues Presented

  1. Whether the delay of 51 days in filing the revision petition can be condoned in the absence of sufficient justification and supporting medical evidence.
  2. Whether the dismissal of the appeal by the State Commission for want of prosecution was justified.
  3. Whether the petitioner should be allowed to pursue the revision petition despite the delay and prior negligence in prosecuting the appeal.

Arguments of the Parties

Petitioner’s Arguments

  • The petitioner acknowledged fault in not properly prosecuting the appeal before the State Commission but sought liberty to continue pursuing the appeal in the interest of justice.
  • The petitioner sought condonation of delay in filing the revision petition on the ground of illness (jaundice) requiring one month’s bed rest during March-April 2015.

Respondent’s Arguments

  • This information was not available in the provided opinion.

Table of Precedents Cited

No precedents were cited in the provided opinion.

Court's Reasoning and Analysis

The court noted that the appeal before the State Commission was dismissed for want of prosecution because the petitioner failed to file the certified copy of the impugned order despite being granted two adjournments. The court found that the petitioner was negligent in prosecuting the appeal and did not demonstrate sufficient diligence even after the dismissal. The petitioner’s claim of illness as a ground for delay was not supported by any medical records or certificates. Therefore, the court concluded that no valid ground existed to condone the delay of 51 days in filing the revision petition. The State Commission’s order dismissing the appeal was held to be proper and lawful, and the revision petition was barred by limitation and dismissed accordingly.

Holding and Implications

DISMISSED

The court dismissed the application for condonation of delay and the revision petition itself, holding that the petitioner’s negligence and failure to provide adequate justification precluded condonation. The direct effect is that the petitioner’s revision petition is barred by limitation and cannot be pursued further. No new legal precedent was established by this decision.

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    Hari Ram v. National Insurance Company Ltd.

    Learned counsel for petitioner, on instructions, states that petitioner wants to pursue with present revision petition. Along with present revision petition, an application seeking condonation of delay of 60 days has been filed. However, as per office note there is delay of 51 days. Be that as it may, arguments heard on the application for condonation of delay as well as on merits. Order after lunch. ORDER (AFTER LUNCH) Petitioner/Complainant has filed this revision petition under Section 21(b) of the Consumer Protection Act, 1986 (for short, Act) against impugned order dated 30.12.2014, passed by State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, M.P. Bhopal (for short, State Commission) in Appeal No.1455/2014. Along with this revision petition, an application seeking condonation of delay of 60 days has been filed. However, as per office note there is delay of 51 days.

    2. Petitioner filed a Consumer Complaint before District Forum, against Respondent/Opposite Party seeking compensation of insurance for loss of wheat and damage to machine amounting to Rs.8 Lacs in all.

    3. Consumer Complaint was contested by the respondent.

    4. District Forum vide order dated 06.05.2014, dismissed the complaint observing that tractor in question was being run in violation in terms and conditions of the insurance policy.

    5. Aggrieved by the order of the District Forum, petitioner filed an appeal before the State Commission, which was dismissed for want of prosecution.

    6. It is submitted by learned counsel for petitioner that, though petitioner was at fault in not properly prosecuting the appeal before the State Commission, but he be given liberty to pursue his appeal before the State Commission and in the interest of justice, impugned order may be set aside.

    7. Impugned order passed by the State Commission read as under:-

    30.12.14 None for the appellant. This appeal is pending since 22.7.2014. No certified copy of the impugned order has been filed. Learned counsel for the appellant though prayed for time twice, but the certified copy has not been filed. It appears that the appellant is not interested in pursuing this appeal. It is dismissed for want of prosecution.

    8. As per impugned order, appeal before the State Commission was filed without the certified copy of the impugned order. Be that as it may, petitioner was given enough time to file the certified copy and for that purpose, matter had been adjourned twice but still petitioner did not file the same.

    9. In view of the above circumstances, the State Commission has not committed any illegality and has rightly exercised the jurisdiction vested in it.

    10. Even after dismissal of his appeal, the petitioner did not become vigilant and alert. He had filed the present revision petition in a casual and lethargic manner, as there is delay of 51 days also in filing of the present revision petition.

    11. Moreover, the ground on which condonation of delay has been sought by the petitioner is, that in March-April, 2015, he had suffered from Jaundice and was advised to take complete bed rest for one month. However, petitioner has not filed on record any medical record, such as any prescription or any medical certificate, advising rest for a period of one month.

    12. Thus, it is manifestly clear from the above conduct of the petitioner, that he was negligent in pursuing his appeal before the State Commission and even after dismissal of his appeal, petitioner did not become wiser and has continued to pursue his revision petition in a casual, leisure and careless manner. Thus, no ground whatsoever is made out for condoning the delay in filing of the present revision petition. Accordingly, application for condonation of delay stand dismissed. Consequently, the present revision petition also stand dismissed, being barred by limitation.

    13. No order as to costs. ......................J

    V.B. GUPTA PRESIDING MEMBER

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    Comments

    Hari Ram v. National Insurance Company Ltd.
    (Jul 23, 2015)