- (1.) Heard Sri Sanjiv Kumar and Sri Neeraj Srivastava, learned counsel for the petitioner and Sri A.K. Mehrotra appearing for the respondent Nos. 3 to 5.
(2.) By means of this writ petition, the petitioner has challenged the order dated 24.3.2001 passed by the Appellate Court, whereby the order of the court below dated 16.8.1996 modifying the arbitrator's award dated 5.8.1991, so far as it related to the date from which the interest of 18% was awarded, is concerned.
(3.) The contract was entered into between the petitioner and respondent Nos. 3 to 5 in the year 1985 for laying down a pipe-line. The petitioner-contractor raised a claim of Rs.2,25,624/-, which was not accepted by the respondents. Consequently, on 1.2.1986, an application was submitted before the Civil Judge (S.D.) under Section 20 of Arbitration Act, 1940, whereon, the court concerned referred the matter for arbitration on 28.9.1980. On 14.2.1990, the U.P. State Electricity Board appointed an Arbitrator.;