STATE OF WEST BENGAL Vs. DILIP KUMAR SAHA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) THE State of West Bengal having accepted the tender submitted by Sri Dilip Kumar Saha, Proprietor of M/s. Associated Engineers and Contractors, an agreement was executed between the parties for construction by the latter of a portion of a diversion road of National Highway No. 34 Group-VI from three mile-posts to four mile-posts situated in the district of Malda. THE Chief Engineer, P. W. D., West Bengal had referred to Sri S. K. Chakraborty, Superintending Engineer, Road Construction, Circle-VI, P. W. D. Roads Directorate of West Bengal to arbitrate five items of dispute which had arisen in connection with the execution of the said contract.

(2.) AFTER Sri S. K. Chakraborty, arbitrator had filed his award in the said dispute case, the State had prayed before the Subordinate Judge's Court, Malda for passing a decree in terms of the said award. Dilip Kumar Sana, on the other hand, made a petition before the said Court under Section 30 of the Arbitration Act for setting aside the said award, inter alia, on the ground that the learned arbitrator had misconducted himself.

(3.) I uphold the preliminary objection raised on behalf of Dilip Kumar Saha, the respondent in the appeal that the appeal from Original Decree preferred by the State is not maintainable in law. The Court below in terms of Section 17 of the Arbitration Act did not pronounce its judgment according to the award and did not also direct that the decree would follow. Therefore, in the instant case no appeal under Section 17 of the Arbitration Act would lie on the grounds specified in the said section. Section 39 of the Arbitration Act specifies the orders passed under the said Act which would be appealable. The appeal no doubt lies against the order setting aside or refusing to set aside the award. According to the practice and procedure of this Court such appeals under Section 39 of the Arbitration Act are classified as Appeals from Original Orders and are required to be heard for admission under Order 41, Rule 11 of the Civil P. C. Therefore, in a proper case we might have permitted the appellant-State to amend the cause title of the Memorandum of Appeal by classifying the same as Memorandum of Appeal from Original Order. In that event, the appeal would be placed for hearing under Order 41, Rule 11 of Civil P. C. but in the facts of this case we do not consider it necessary to grant such leave to the appellant-State.