BINATONE COMPUTERS PRIVATE LIMITED Vs. SETECH ELECTRONICS LIMITED

JUDGEMENT

(1.) M/s.Binatone Computers (P) Ltd. has filed I.A.No.2036/96 under Order XXXVIII, Rule 5 & Section 151, Code of Civil Procedure read with Section 41 and Second Schedule of the Indian Arbitration Act, 1940, alleging that M/s. Setech Electronics Ltd., respondent, entered into an agreement with it on March 18,1993, at New Delhi. Under the aforesaid agreement respondent was permitted to manufacture and sell in India audio systems under the brand name 'Binatone' on the terms and conditions noted in the agreement itself. One of the terms of the agreement was that the respondent would pay a minimum royalty of Rs.16,00,000.00 per annum for the period March 18, 1993 to March 31, 1994 with minimum increase of 20% every year over the immediately preceding year. In consideration of the payment of the royalty the petitioner was to make arrangement for the import of TDM and for that purpose petitioner also made certain advances to the respondent. Raw material, work in progress and the finished goods belonging to the petitioner and lying with the respondent were taken over by the latter. It is alleged that as on March 31, 1995, respondent was liable to pay to the petitioner a sum of Rs.34,73,963.57P towards payment of advance and the royalty and the respondent has failed to make payment thereof to the petitioner. It is further alleged that with intent to obstruct and delay the execution of the award likely to be made against the respondent, the respondent is likely to dispose of properties situated at A-30, Sector 16, NOIDA and A-14, Sector 7, NOIDA (U.P.) and the other movable properties as detailed in Annexure 'A' filed alongwith the application. It was prayed that an order of attachment before judgment of the movable and immovable properties belonging to the respondent may be passed.

(2.) Instead of filing a reply the respondent filed I.A.No.4460/96 for vacation of the order dated February 29, 1996, made in said I.A.No.2036/96. It is alleged in the application that property No.A-14, Sector 7, NOIDA (U.P.), does not belong to the respondent and is owned by M/s.Hitachi Electronics Private Limited. Interim order of attachment has eroded the credibility of the respondent in the commercial market. No amount is due from the respondent nor has it any intention to dispose of any of the assets owned by it.

(3.) On August 8,1997, on which date both the I.As. were listed, none put in appearance on behalf of the petitioner. So, I heard Mr.Atul Jain for the respondent alone.