Unexplained decades-long delay bars discretionary relief under Article 226 on grounds of laches.

The petitioner, claiming to be the son of a former SECL employee, sought consideration of an alleged representation made by his father in 1996 for arrears relating to 1989–1994.

The petitioner pleaded that his father retired on 30 April 2002, received all retiral dues, and died in 2015.

The respondents disputed the pleadings, including the description of the father’s post, and argued that the claim was stale.

The petition was filed more than three decades after the period for which arrears were claimed.

Whether the writ petition seeking consideration of the alleged arrears claim was liable to be rejected for inordinate and unexplained delay and laches

Whether the petitioner had established that his father’s alleged 1996 representation was submitted to the competent authority

Article 226 of the Constitution confers extraordinary and discretionary jurisdiction, which ordinarily must be invoked within a reasonable time.

Although no limitation period is prescribed for filing a writ petition, a claim may be refused on grounds of delay and laches where the delay is inordinate and no cogent explanation is provided.

The doctrine protects repose, certainty, finality, and rights that may have accrued to other parties.

The Court cited no specific statute or precedent.

The arrears claim concerned 1989–1994, while the petition was filed more than three decades later.

The petitioner offered no satisfactory explanation for the delay; the Court also noted that the petition itself asserted there was no delay.

The alleged 1996 representation was unsupported by any acknowledgment or receipt, and the employee had retired in 2002 and died in 2015 without any recorded follow-up on it.

In these circumstances, the Court declined to exercise its discretionary writ jurisdiction; it did not adjudicate the underlying entitlement to arrears.

The Court dismissed the writ petition in limine.

No relief was granted on the merits of the alleged arrears claim