Supreme Court ends limitation extension, year from March 15, 2020 to March 14, 2021 excluded

The Supreme Court on Monday brought to an end the extension of limitation granted for filing cases prescribed under the general law of limitation or under any special laws.

The bench comprising Chief Justice S.A. Bobde, Justices L. Nageswara Rao and S Ravindra Bhat was hearing the suo motu case taken up by the Court having regard to the situation arising from difficulties that might be faced by litigants across the country in filing petitions, applications, suits, appeals and all other proceedings within the period of limitation prescribed under the general law of limitation or under any special laws.

The Court disposing of the case said, “We are of the opinion that the order dated 15.03.2020 has served its purpose and in view of the changing scenario relating to the pandemic, the extension of limitation should come to an end.”

The bench after having considered the suggestions of the Attorney General K.K. Venugopal regarding the future course of action issued the following directions: –

1. In computing the period of limitation for any suit, appeal, application or proceeding, the period from 15.03.2020 till 14.03.2021 shall stand excluded. Consequently, the balance period of limitation remaining as on 15.03.2020, if any, shall become available with effect from 15.03.2021.
2. In cases where the limitation would have expired during the period between 15.03.2020 till 14.03.2021, notwithstanding the actual balance period of limitation remaining, all persons shall have a limitation period of 90 days from 15.03.2021. In the event the actual balance period of limitation remaining, with effect from 15.03.2021, is greater than 90 days, that longer period shall apply.
3. The period from 15.03.2020 till 14.03.2021 shall also stand excluded in computing the periods prescribed under Sections 23 (4) and 29A of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996, Section 12A of the Commercial Courts Act, 2015 and provisos (b) and (c) of Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881 and any other laws, which prescribe period(s) of limitation for instituting proceedings, outer limits (within which the court or tribunal can condone delay) and termination of proceedings.
4. The Government of India shall amend the guidelines for containment zones, to state. “Regulated movement will be allowed for medical emergencies, provision of essential goods and services, and other necessary functions, such as, time bound applications, including for legal purposes, and educational and job-related requirements.”

The Court earlier on 27.03.2020 had extended the period of limitation prescribed under the general law or special laws whether compoundable or not with effect from 15.03.2020 till further orders. The order dated 15.03.2020 was extended from time to time.

The Court, however, was of the view that since now all the Court and Tribunals are functioning, either physically or virtually, and the situation in the country due to the pandemic was returning to normal, there was no further requirement for extending the limitation.

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