Suhas Chandra Sen, J. - (1.) THE appellant, M/s. Shiva Trading Company and others, the Respondents herein, had hired out a motor vehicle to the appellant, Smt. Bharati Mukherjee on the terms and conditions mentioned in the hire purchase agreement dt. 22nd March, 1976. Under the hire purchase agreement twenty four consecutive monthly rents of Rs. 1,400/- were payable. THE first instalment, however, was to be of Rupees 1,800/- commencing from 1st June, 1976. THE appellant, however, failed to pay any of the monthly hire which became due in spite of repeated demands. On or about 29th February, 1980 the hire purchase agreement was determined by the Respondents. THE dispute between the appellant and the respondents was referred to arbitration on 6th April, 1980 at the instance of the respondent firm. THE Arbitrator gave a notice to the appellant enclosing a copy of the statement of claim filed by the respondents and giving direction to file counter statement. THE appellant's case before us, however, is that she did not receive any notice from the Arbitrator nor did she receive a copy of the statement of claim on that dale.
(2.) IT appears that a suit was also filed by Smt. Bharati Mukherjee (Suit No. 353 of 1980). In that suit it was alleged that all the instalments due under the hire purchase agreement had been paid and a declaration was prayed that the plaintiff was the owner of the Vehicle No WGA 3453. On 16th June. 80 an application was made under Section 34 of the Arbitration Act. 1940 by the Respondent No. 1 for stay of the suit. On 24th Sept. 1980 an order was passed staying the suit. Thereafter on 24th/29th November, 1980, the Arbitrator sent a notice for a meeting to be held on 6th December, 1980. The Arbitrator's notice was on the following terms :-- "Please note that a meeting will be held on 6th December, 1980 at my office of Criminal Court, 6, Baker Road, Alipur at 3-30 P. M. You are requested to appear with all your evidence on that date failing which reference would be proceeded ex parte."
(3.) ON 6th December, 1980 both the parties appeared before the Arbitrator but at the request of the appellant the meeting was adjourned till 20th December, 1980 on the ground that the appellant had been taken ill. The appellant had filed a petition for adjournment and the minutes of the proceeding before the Arbitrator are as follows:-- "Sri Ghosal files a petition for adjournment for reasons stated in his petition. Considered and heard both parties. The meeting will be held on 20-12-1980 at 3 P. M. at the same address i. e. at 6, Baker Road in the Chamber of the Arbitrator. No further adjournment will be granted" Thereafter another notice was sent to the appellant dated 8th December, 1980 and in that meeting the appellant asked for further adjournment of the case. But the prayer for adjournment was refused. The minutes of the meeting held on 20th December, 1980, are as follows:-- "Mr. M. R. Bose states that he has received instructions from Smt. Bharat Mukherjee to pray for an adjournment to prefer an appeal in the Hon'ble High Court. Mr. D. P. Bajoria objects to any further adjournment and submits his claim. Heard both parties. Prayer for further adjournment is rejected. I will make my award and publish the same in due course.";