In Brief
A landowner filed a civil suit claiming title to government land in Madhya Pradesh based on an allotment made in 1977. The Trial Court dismissed the suit, but the First Appellate Court allowed the appeal and declared the landowner the landlord. The State then filed a Review Petition and subsequently a Second Appeal, both delayed. The High Court condoned the delay. The Supreme Court upheld this decision, holding that while all parties, including the State, must exercise due diligence and are bound by limitation laws, courts may liberally condone delay where the merits require adjudication and sufficient cause is shown—especially in disputes involving government land and substantial public interest. The matter was remitted for hearing on merits by the High Court.
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