UNION OF INDIA Vs. MOHAMAD USMAN

JUDGEMENT

(1.) JUDGEMENT This is an appeal by the defendant, the Union of India. It is directed against an order of the learned Additional Civil Judge, Jhansi, granting an application under Sections 8 and 20, Arbitration Act.

(2.) MOHAMMAD Usman, the plaintiff-respondent, on 8-3-1945 entered it to a contract with the Union of India to supply meat to the Military Regiment between 1-1-1945 and 31-3-1946. The plaintiff alleged that he made the requisite supplies, but was not fully paid. According to him, a sum of Rs. 8,38,994/10/6 was still payable to him by the Union of India. He made several representations to the appellant for payment, as also for arbitration of the dispute by the General Officer Commanding in Chief, Headquarters, Eastern Command, Lucknow, who was the officer named in the contract as arbitrator to settle the differences arising between the parties under the arbitration clause of the contract. By his letter dated 10-7-1958, which was served on the plaintiff on 15-7-1958, the G.O.C. In Chief, Headquarters Eastern Command, Lucknow, informed the plaintiff that there was no valid reason for holding the arbitration in the case. The plaintiff on 20-4-1961 issued a notice under Section 80 C.P.C. and on 11-7-1961 filed in court, an application under Secs. 8 and 20, Arbitration Act, praying that the arbitration agreement be directed to be filed in court, and that an arbitrator be appointed for giving an award.

(3.) THE learned Additional Civil Judge by his Judgment dated 13-9-1963 repelled all the pleas and granted the application. Aggrieved, the Union of India has come to this Court in appeal under Section 39, Arbitration Act. The memorandum of appeal prays that the judgment of the court below be set aside and the application under Secs. 8 and 20 of the Arbitration Act be dismissed.