M L JAGGI Vs. MAHANAGAR TELEPHONES NIGAM LIMITED

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Leave granted.

(2.) The respondents had issued bills for Rs.50,219/- from January 16-11-1982 to January 15, 1983; for Rs.20873/- from January 16, 1983 to March 15, 1983; and for Rs.9,084/- for period from September 16, 1982 to November 15, 1982. When the appellant filed the suit, an objection was raised of the availability of the remedy under Section 7B of the Indian Telegraph Act, 1985 (for short, "the Act"). The Civil Court referred the matter to the arbitrator. The arbitrator after giving due consideration to the dispute made the award, Exh.P-3 dated December 19, 1989 giving some rebate on one bill only and confirmed the rest of the demand. When the appellant filed the writ petition, the High Court of Delhi in the impugned order affirmed the award of the arbitrator. Thus this appeal by special leave against the order dated March 13, 1991 made in W.P. No.800/91.

(3.) The only question raised in this appeal is whether the arbitrator is enjoined to assign reasons in support of his award. Section 7B of the Act reads thus: