Government departments

--- Condonation of delay --- Government departments --- Scope --- Condonation of delay cannot be granted as a matter of course --- Government departments, autonomous bodies, and private organizations are not entitled to any extraordinary leniency in matters of limitation --- Their cases must be treated in the same manner as those of ordinary litigants and citizens.

--- Principle of equality before law --- The doctrine of equality before law requires that all litigants, including the State, be treated alike in the application of limitation law --- Courts cannot accord preferential treatment to government departments merely because of bureaucratic procedures.