In Brief
The appellant sought to recall an ex-parte order passed against him in a civil suit concerning a land dispute. He filed an application under Order IX, Rule 7 CPC over 14 years after the ex-parte order was passed. The trial court, revisional court, and High Court all rejected the application, finding no satisfactory explanation for the delay. The Supreme Court upheld this dismissal, holding that while 'sufficient cause' for condonation of delay should be construed liberally, such condonation is unavailable where gross negligence or inaction by the litigant is evident. The appellant's delay of 14 years without reasonable justification, despite admitting knowledge of the ex-parte order in 2011, constituted gross negligence warranting refusal of condonation.
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