Supreme Court Dismisses Odisha Government’s Delayed Appeal Calling Explanation Lame Excuse

The Supreme Court dismissed a Special Leave Petition filed by the Odisha government after finding prolonged and unexplained delay in pursuing its appeal against a High Court order.

The dispute arose from a 2013 direction of the State Education Tribunal to release grant-in-aid to a school. The State filed its High Court appeal beyond limitation and failed to cure defects for years. The High Court rejected restoration, noting over a decade of delay.

The Supreme Court held that condonation of delay is discretionary and said the State’s explanation was a lame excuse.

It refused to excuse the delay and dismissed the petition as time-barred.

[State of Orissa & Ors. v. Managing Committee of Namatara Girls High School]