In Brief
An elderly appellant (father-in-law) challenged a family court ex-parte decree in a property dispute over gold ornaments and maintenance. The High Court dismissed his appeal as time-barred, refusing to condone a 554-day delay. The Supreme Court allowed the appeal, finding the appellant's cause (serious illness, heart disease, dengue, hospitalization, and family distress) was sufficiently proven and undisputed. The Court held that modern jurisprudence favors a liberal approach to condonation, rejecting outdated requirements to explain each day of delay. The delay was condoned (subject to costs), and the case was remitted to the High Court for decision on merits.
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