Limitation period due to Pandemic —— The Hon’ble Supreme Court took suo motu cognizance of the situation arising from difficulties, which were faced by the litigants in filing petitions/applications/suits/appeals/all other proceedings within the period of limitation prescribed. The court vide order dated 27.03.2020 has extended the period of limitation prescribed under the law with effect from 15.03.2020 till further orders. Thereafter on 23rd March, 2020, the court observed that there is steep rise in COVID-19 Virus cases and accordingly, restored the order dated 23rd March, 2020. The court in the order dated 23.09.2021 has extended the period of limitation in all proceedings before the Courts/Tribunals including this Court w.e.f 15.03.2020 till 02.10.2021. The Supreme Court Advocates on Record Association has again requested in this regard due to spread of the new variant of the COVID19 across the country.
Held that:- The Hon’ble Supreme Court directed that the order dated 23.03.2020 is restored and in continuation of the subsequent orders dated 08.03.2021, 27.04.2021 and 23.09.2021, the period from 15.03.2020 till 28.02.2022 shall stand excluded for the purposes of limitation as may be prescribed under any general or special laws in respect of all judicial or quasijudicial proceedings. Consequently, the balance period of limitation remaining as on 03.10.2021, if any, shall become available with effect from 01.03.2022.