House of Diagnostics LLP (‘Appellant’) filed the appeal against the CCI under Section 53B of the Act challenging an order under Section 26(2) of the Act, along with an application for condonation of delay of 40 days.[1]
Appellant’s reason for a 40 day delay in filing the appeal was due to time-taking negotiations which ultimately didn’t result in an amicable settlement. The CCI contended that after the Appellant received the last email indicating negotiations were over, the Appellant still had 9 days for filing the appeal. NCLAT noted that Appellant did not make any effort to file the appeal within this period, and filed an appeal under Section 53B of the Act delayed by 40 days beyond the expiration period. NCLAT dismissed the appeal without condoning the delay for lack of sufficient reason.
[1] Competition Appeal (AT) No. 54 of 2022.