Supreme Court Grants Relief in Landmark Extension of Limitation Case Amidst Pandemic
In a significant ruling, the Supreme Court of India has provided relief to litigants by extending the period of limitation amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. The judgment, delivered on October 3, 2023, in the case of Aditya Khaitan & Ors. vs. IL and FS Financial Services Limited, highlights the Court’s commitment to safeguarding the rights of parties during these challenging times.
Key Observations from the Judgment:
“The law assists those who are vigilant, not those who sleep over their rights is a fundamental legal maxim on which statutes of limitations are premised.”
“When the whole world was in the grip of a devastating pandemic, it could never have been said that the parties were sleeping over their rights.”
“The extraordinary situation was dealt with rightly by extraordinary orders protecting the rights of parties by ensuring that their remedies and defenses were not barred.”
“The orders of this Court dated 08.03.2021 and subsequent orders extended the period for computing outer limits within which delay can be condoned.”
In this case, the appellants sought an extension of time to file their written statements in response to a suit for recovery of money due to the impact of the pandemic. The High Court had denied their request, citing the expiration of the limitation period.
However, the Supreme Court, drawing on its orders dated 08.03.2021 and subsequent orders passed in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, concluded that the appellants’ applications were well within the extended time frame. The Court emphasized the importance of these orders in protecting the rights of litigants during extraordinary circumstances.
This decision underscores the Court’s commitment to ensuring access to justice during challenging times. It highlights the need for flexibility in extending the limitation period, especially in cases where the pandemic has disrupted normal legal proceedings.
The ruling in Aditya Khaitan & Ors. vs. IL and FS Financial Services Limited will have far-reaching implications for litigants across the country, reaffirming the principle that justice should not be denied due to circumstances beyond one’s control.
The judgment serves as a reminder of the Court’s responsibility to adapt to exceptional situations and protect the rights of individuals, even in the face of unforeseen challenges.
Date of Decision: October 3, 2023
Aditya Khaitan & Ors. vs IL and FS Financial Services Limited
