D. Laxmamma vs. S. Halappa and Ors.
Background
The petitioner sought review of an earlier Supreme Court judgment in Civil Appeal No. 7512 of 2012 but filed the review petition 975 days late. She applied for condonation of this delay, offering an explanation for the delay.
Decision Breakdown
The Supreme Court found the explanation offered for the 975-day delay unsatisfactory and declined to condone it. As a result, the review petition itself was dismissed solely on the ground of limitation, without the Court examining the merits of the review.
Lesson Learnt
Courts apply limitation periods strictly even to review petitions; an inadequate or unconvincing explanation for a long delay can result in a case being dismissed on that technical ground alone, without ever reaching its merits, so any review or appeal should be filed promptly and any delay explained credibly.