V. Shankar vs Sebi

provide secretarial services for a period of one year

and listed companies were directed not to engage the

appellant for a period of one year.

2. There is a delay of 300 days in the filing of the

appeal and, accordingly, an application has been filed

for condonation of delay. The ground urged, as

submitted by Mr. Joby Mathew is, that the appellant

was confined to bed rest for three months and

thereafter the covid pandemic kicked up and therefore

the appeal could not be filed within time. On this

basis, the learned counsel urged that the delay may be

condoned.

3. We find from a perusal of the application for

condonation of delay that the medical certificate given 3

only indicates a slight back pain for which a

prescription was given for three days and there is

nothing to indicate that he was confined to bed rest for

three months. We are of the opinion that the appeal

could have been filed before the lockdown started on

25th March, 2020. There is an inordinate delay in filing

the appeal for which no valid or sufficient cause has

been stated. We are further of the opinion that the

penalty imposed has already been undergone by the

appellant and, therefore, no relief can be granted to the

appellant. We are of the opinion that an appeal cannot

be entertained only to decide academic questions

especially when there is an inordinate delay in the

filing of the appeal.

4. In view of the aforesaid, the application for

condonation of delay is dismissed as a result of which

the appeal is also dismissed with no order as to costs.

5. The present matter was heard through video

conference due to Covid-19 pandemic. At this stage it 4

is not possible to sign a copy of this order nor a

certified copy of this order could be issued by the

registry. In these circumstances, this order will be

digitally signed by the Private Secretary on behalf of

the bench and all concerned parties are directed to act

on the digitally signed copy of this order. Parties will

act on production of a digitally signed copy sent by fax

and/or email.

Justice Tarun Agarwala Digitally signed by Presiding Officer RAJALAKS RAJALAKSHMI NAIR H

HMI H NAIR Date: 2021.01.20 16:23:40 +05'30'

Dr. C.K.G. Nair Member

Justice M.T. Joshi Judicial Member

19.1.2021 RHN