In Brief
The appellants booked a villa from the respondent developer for Rs.15,65,000. Following a dispute over balance payment and delays, a trial court dismissed the developer's recovery suit. The developer's delayed appeal to the High Court (721 days late) was entertained after condoning the delay. The High Court temporarily settled the matter by directing the appellants to deposit the balance amount, receive possession, and later reverse it. The Supreme Court held the delay should not have been condoned due to weak explanation, set aside the appeal, but allowed the appellants to retain possession and ordered the deposited money released to the developer with accrued interest."
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