In Brief
A former director challenged the dismissal of his interlocutory application before the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) as being barred by limitation. The central issue was when the limitation period commences—from the date of hearing or pronouncement of an order. The Supreme Court held that the period runs from pronouncement, not hearing. Since the NCLT did not pronounce the order on 17 May 2023 (the hearing date) but uploaded it on 30 May 2023, limitation commenced on 30 May 2023. The appeal filed on 10 July 2023 fell within the condonable period. The Court set aside the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal's dismissal and restored the matter for reconsideration of whether sufficient cause existed for the delay.
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