CAT Gives Centre Two Months To Comply With Order, Bars Any Further Extension

The Union of India and other original respondents sought an extension of time to comply with the Tribunal’s common order dated 17 April 2026 in OA 310/00957/2023 and connected matters.

They also sought condonation of a 23-day delay in filing the extension application. The Tribunal considered both applications.

The order cites no statute, precedent, or specific legal test.

The Tribunal applied its discretion on the basis of the reasons stated in the applications and the interests of justice when deciding whether to condone the delay and grant additional time.

The Tribunal accepted the reasons advanced for the 23-day delay and found that condonation was warranted in the interests of justice.

On the extension request, it considered the applicants’ stated reasons sufficient to grant additional time, but limited the extension to two months from the date of the order and ruled out any further extension.

It granted MA 310/00567/2026 in part by allowing two months from 14 October 2026 to comply with the order dated 17 April 2026, with no further extension; the extension application was disposed of, with no order as to costs.