Non-retrospective application of limitation provisions affecting vested rights

While procedural laws including the law of limitation are generally applicable retrospectively to pending actions, a newly enacted limitation provision or legislative change cannot operate retrospectively to revive a cause of action or legal remedy that was already barred by time under the pre-existing legal framework. Conversely, an amendment cannot suddenly extinguish or impair a vested right or defense accrued to a party under the earlier regime. A legislative amendment empowering a newly constituted tribunal to apply the Limitation Act cannot retroactively validate an invalid, time-barred appeal filed before an earlier authority. (The Property Company (P) Ltd. v. Rohinten Daddy Mazda | 2026 INSC 33)