Covid-19: Supreme Court extends limitation period for filing cases until further orders

Covid-19: Supreme Court extends limitation period for filing cases until further orders

Considering the fact that the second wave of the Covid 19 pandemic is alarming and has put litigants in a very difficult situation, the Supreme Court of India has extended the limitation period ending on 14 March 2021 until further orders. The period from 14 March 2021 will stand excluded from computing the limitation period under all special and general laws.

A Bench headed by Chief Justice of India NV Ramana and comprising of Justices Surya Kant and AS Bopanna passed the order while hearing a plea by Supreme Court Advocates-on-Record Association (SCAORA) seeking suspension of limitation period to file cases under all general and special laws in the wake of the rise cases of COVID-19 across the country.

The SCAORA in its application sought the revival of the suo moto order passed by the Supreme Court on 23 March 2020, which had extended the limitation period with effect from March 15, 2020, until further orders.

The bench was initially planning to extend the limitation period till 15 July 2021. However, the Attorney General of India KK Venugopal urged the Court to grant extension until further orders.

The Supreme Court had earlier decided to end the extension of limitation period granted to litigants in March 2020 due to the pandemic. However, it has now given the extension considering the alarming situation in the country.