Administrative delay in obtaining legal opinion does not constitute sufficient cause to condone inordinate delay.

The respondents challenged an order dated 5 December 2014 refixing their pay scales.

The learned Single Judge allowed their writ petitions, following the decision in W.P. No. 21216/2014 and connected matters.

The State appellants filed this writ appeal with an application seeking condonation of a delay of 1,789 days.

They attributed the delay to the referral of the papers to the Legal Department, its opinion to appeal, and the subsequent processing and filing of the appeal.

The judgment refers inconsistently to the date of the Single Judge’s order: the appeal grounds identify 16 February 2026, while the body refers to 5 November 2015 and 16 February 2016.

A court exercising extraordinary and equitable jurisdiction must scrutinise the explanation for delay; unexplained or inadequately explained delay may defeat a claim for relief, particularly where delay risks affecting accrued rights or frustrating finality.

The Court relied on Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board v. T.T. Murali Babu, (2014) 4 SCC 108, for the requirement to assess the explanation and the consequences of delay.

It also relied on Shivamma (Dead) by LRs v. Karnataka Housing Board, 2025 SCC OnLine SC 1969, for the principle that administrative lethargy or laxity is not, by itself, sufficient cause and that State authorities seeking condonation must demonstrate bona fides and vigilance throughout.

The Court found that the appellants’ explanation amounted to stating that the papers had been sent to the Legal Department for an opinion and that the appeal was filed after the Government approved it.

The affidavit did not adequately account for the lapse of more than 4.5 years or establish sufficient cause for the entire delay.

Applying the cited Supreme Court principles, the Court held that the administrative process described did not justify condonation of such an inordinate delay.

Any pending interlocutory applications were also disposed of.