It has also been settled vide State of Jharkhand and Ors. v. Ashok Kumar Chokhani and Ors. MANU/SC/0039/2009 : AIR 2009 SC 1927, that the merits of the case cannot be considered while dealing with the application for condonation of delay in filing the appeal. {Para 22}26. On a harmonious consideration of the provisions of the law, as aforesaid, and the law laid down by this