Khaitan v. IL&FS: Conditionally Condoning Delay in Filing Written Statements
This Supreme Court of India case, Aditya Khaitan & Ors. v. IL & FS Financial Services Limited , concerns the late filing of written statements by defendants in a commercial suit. The High Court rejected the defendants' applications for extension, citing expired deadlines. The Supreme Court reversed this decision, finding that the defendants' applications, filed during the COVID-19 pandemic, fell within the extended timelines established by the Court's own suo motu orders addressing pandemic-related limitations. Ultimately, the Court allowed the appeals, ordering the written statements be accepted. The Supreme Court ruling in Aditya Khaitan & Ors. v. IL and FS Financial Services Limited was significantly influenced by prior case law, particularly regarding the interpretation of orders related to the extension of limitation periods during the COVID-19 pandemic . Here's how: ● Initial Stance: Sagufa Ahmed Case ○ The High Court initially relied on the case o...