Summary
By this order of 8 March 2021, the Supreme Court ended the then-operative pandemic extension of limitation and excluded 15 March 2020 through 14 March 2021 in computing prescribed periods. The remaining period resumed on 15 March 2021. Where limitation would have expired during the excluded interval, at least 90 days from that date were allowed, subject to any longer remaining period. Specified arbitration, commercial mediation and cheque-notice periods were also covered.
Issues
- How limitation was to be computed when the then-operative pandemic extension ended.
- Which additional statutory time periods were included in the exclusion.
Held
- For suits, appeals, applications and proceedings, 15 March 2020 through 14 March 2021 was excluded. Any remaining limitation as at 15 March 2020 became available from 15 March 2021. (¶ 2(1))
- If limitation would have expired during that interval, 90 days from 15 March 2021 were available, or the actual remaining period if longer. These were the directions issued in this particular order. (¶ 2(2))
- The exclusion also covered Arbitration Act Sections 23(4) and 29A, Commercial Courts Act Section 12A, NI Act Section 138 provisos (b) and (c), and other laws prescribing institution periods, outer condonation limits or termination periods. (¶ 2(3))
- The Union was directed to amend containment-zone guidelines to permit regulated movement for specified necessities, including time-bound legal applications. (¶ 2(4))
Result
Suo motu writ petition disposed of with the specified limitation computation and containment-guideline directions.