UNION OF INDIA Vs. S. KUMAR

JUDGEMENT

(1.) IT The challenge in this appeal is to the order passed on 20.07.2000 by learned Single Judge thereby deciding an application filed under Section 20 of the Arbitration Act, 1940, hereinafter referred to as 1940 Act, seeking direction to the respondents to file Arbitration agreement in Court and for reference of disputes to the Arbitrator so appointed, by the Court.

(2.) DURING pendency of the said application, Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 (hereinafter referred to as the Act) came into force. Question thus arose before the learned Single Judge as to whether the petition filed under Section 20 of the Arbitration Act, 1940 would be governed by the 1940 Act or by the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996. Learned Single Judge concluded that in view of the judgment of Supreme Court in Thyssen Stahlunion GMBH v. Steel Authority of India Ltd. 1999 (3) Arb. LR 532 (SC), the provisions of Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 will be applicable to the proceedings between the parties and not the provisions of Arbitration Act, 1940. It was also observed that under Section 16 of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, the Arbitral Tribunal now had the power to rule on its own jurisdiction including the objections that whether any question can be referred to the Arbitrator or not ? In view of the clear power having now been given to the Arbitrator to rule on its own jurisdiction, the objection of the appellant that certain disputes are excepted matters and cannot be subject matter of reference were thus held to be adjudicable by the Arbitrator and not by the Court. Accordingly, while allowing the petition filed by the respondents, direction was issued to the General Manager to appoint Arbitrator within six weeks.