Supreme Court Ends Extension Of Limitation Period

In order to alleviate difficulties faced by litigants and lawyers owing to the COVID-19 pandemic and consequent lockdown, the Supreme Court of India had passed an order on 23rd March 2020 in Suo Moto Writ Petition (Civil) No. 3 of 2020, extending periods of limitation prescribed under general and special laws with effect from 15th March 2020 for filing petitions, applications, suits, appeals and other proceedings till further orders. The said order of the Supreme Court was extended from time to time.

On 8th March 2021, upon reviewing the situation, the Supreme Court was of the opinion that although the pandemic had not ended, there was considerable improvement in the circumstances and that the order dated 23rd March 2020 had served its purpose. Accordingly, the Supreme Court disposed off the Suo Moto Writ Petition vide its order dated 8th March 2021 with the following directions: