JUDGMENT 1. Delay condoned. 2. Leave granted. 3. Mr. Thomas Franklin Caesar, learned counsel, appears on behalf of the appellant. He has submitted before us that given our judgment in K. S. Panduranga v. State of Karnataka, (2013) 3 SCC 721 , an appeal against an order of conviction cannot be dismissed in default but must be taken up and decided on merits even if the appellant in-person or the counsel representing him, is not present. 4. Given this judgment, we are inclined to agree with the appellant. 5. Nobody appears on behalf of the State though served. 6. We, therefore, set aside the judgment and order dated 22.04.2014 and remand the matter to be disposed of on merits. 7. Meanwhile, considering that the appellant has been in jail for a period of almost 11 years, we grant bail subject to the satisfaction of the trial Court. 8. The appeal stands disposed of.