Taking suo moto cognisance of difficulties faced by litigants in view of the COVID-19 pandemic, and to avoid overcrowding at filing counters in courts, the Supreme Court has passed an order dated 23 March 2020 with respect to the period of limitation for filing requirements.
A 3 judge bench of the Supreme Court headed by the Chief Justice of India, exercising its powers under Article 142 read with Article 141 of the Constitution of India, directed that the period of limitation in all proceedings before any Court/Tribunal, irrespective of the limitation prescribed under the general law or special law, whether condonable or not, would stand extended with effect from 15 March 2020 till any further orders passed by the Supreme Court in this regard.
In effect, if the limitation period for filing of any proceeding, be it a petition, application, suit, appeal or any other proceeding, expired on or after 15 March 2020, the same stands extended. The date till which limitation would stand extended will be notified by the Supreme Court in its subsequent orders.
The order, having been passed under Articles 141 and 142 of the Constitution of India, has the effect of law and is binding on all courts, tribunals and authorities.
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