Judgment:
Nishita Mhatre, J.
1. This Petition has been filed against the order dated 21st June 2001 passed by the Central Administrative Tribunal rejecting Original Application No. 722 of 2000 of the Petitioner as there was delay in filing the same.
2. The Petitioner, who is employed as a casual labourer with the Respondents, had requested the Respondents to regularise him in service. On his request and representations being turned down, he filed Original Application No. 722 of 2000 on 29th September before the Central Administrative Tribunal. According to the Tribunal, the period of limitation runs from 8th June 1999 when the first representation made by the Petitioner was rejected. The Tribunal has held that there is a delay and under Section 21 of the Administrative Tribunals Act, 1985, the Tribunal cannot entertain an delay application filed after the period of limitation had expired. The Tribunal has held that repeated representations made by the Petitioner would not cure the delay in filing the Original Application.
3. After hearing Counsel for both the parties and on perusal of the proceedings, we find that the last representation was made by the Petitioner on 22nd October 1999 which was disposed of only on 10th July 2000. The Original Application was filed on 29th September 2000. In our view, this delay is not fatal to the application and the application should be heard on merits. Section 21 in fact empowers the Tribunal to condone the delay and in the circumstances the Tribunal ought to have heard the application on merits after condoning the delay.
4. In the circumstances, we allow the Writ Petition and set aside the order of the Central Administrative Tribunal dated 21st June 2001. The delay in filing Original Application is condoned. Original Application No. 722 of 2000 is remanded to the Central Administrative Tribunal for hearing on merits.
5. Rule accordingly made absolute in terms of prayers (a) and (b) with no order as to costs.
6. In view of the disposal of the Writ Petitions, nothing survives in Notice of Motion No. 392 of 2003 which is disposed of as infructuous.
Certified copy expedited.