In Brief
A municipal corporation sought to extend the deadline for depositing judicial costs to restore an execution petition to recover money from unsuccessful contract bidders. The High Court had declined the extension, partly because the respondents had withdrawn their first appeal after the execution petition was dismissed. The Supreme Court held that courts have discretion under Section 148 CPC to extend time even after expiry, provided valid reasons exist. The court must consider the sequence of dates and the party's explanation for delay. The Court allowed the appeal, granting a fresh four-week period for cost deposit, and permitted the respondents to restore their first appeal to maintain their right to challenge the decree.
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