Bhaskar Bhattacharya, J. - (1.) This Rule is directed against order dated March 10, 2000 passed by an arbitral Tribunal in a proceeding under the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 ("Act").
(2.) Pursuant to an agreement dated January 22, 1996 between the parties the opposite party preferred a statement of claim before the arbitral Tribunal consisting of a sole arbitrator in accordance with the provision contained in the Act.
(3.) The petitioner after appearing before the Tribunal took out an application under Section 16 of the Act challenging the validity and/or existence of the arbitration agreement and the jurisdiction of the Tribunal to decide the matter and also took other grounds touching jurisdiction. The Tribunal by the order dated February 23, 2000 rejected the application under Section 16 of the Act by a reasoned order.;