Delhi HC Condones 1610-Day Delay in Customs Appeal Due to ED Custody, Health Issues, and COVID-19 Disruptions

In an extraordinary display of judicial consideration, the Delhi High Court condoned an exceptionally long delay of 1,610 days in filing a customs appeal. The court took into account the compelling circumstances presented by the appellant, which included a period of custody under the Enforcement Directorate (ED), significant health issues, and the widespread disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. This humanitarian approach underscores the court's commitment to balancing strict adherence to procedural timelines with the overarching need to dispense substantive justice, setting a precedent for condoning truly extraordinary delays in legal proceedings where genuine hardship is evident.