M/S. S.D. SHINDE TR. PARTNERversusGOVT. OF MAHARASHTRA AND ORS

                [2023] 11 S.C.R. 367 : 2023 INSC 751



                             CASE DETAILS
                   M/S. S.D. SHINDE TR. PARTNER
                                       v.
               GOVT. OF MAHARASHTRA AND ORS.
                  (Civil Appeal Nos. 6107-6108 of 2017)
                             AUGUST 22, 2023
       [S. RAVINDRA BHAT AND DIPANKAR DATTA, JJ.]

                               HEADNOTES

     Issue for consideration: Award made in favour of the appellant-
contractor was challenged by the respondent-State u/s.30, 33, Arbitration
Act, 1940 and was set aside by Courts below inter alia holding that the
claim was time-barred – Legality.
    Arbitration Act, 1940 – ss.30 and 33 – Jurisdiction of Courts –
Scope:
      Held: A claim crystallizes upon the issuance of the final bill which
in this case was on 14.12.1992 – Contractor’s complaint with respect to
payment was first aired in 1988; the rejection resulted in an appeal before
the higher authority, who never rendered his opinion or decision – Even
in 1993, (after the final bill was drawn), no decision was given – Thus, the
claim before the civil court for the appointment of the arbitrator made in
January, 1995 was within the period of limitation – Further, on facts, the
question of claims not being within the contracted period, i.e., within the
30-day time granted after foreclosure of the contract, does not arise – On
account of the inordinate delay (in the decision by the authorities, resulting
in five extensions of time by mutual consent), the contractor voluntarily
sought foreclosure – That request was acceded to – Originally, the period
of completion of the contract/works was eighteen months – The request
for foreclosure, therefore, was deemed reasonable by the department and
accepted upon receipt of the appellant contractor’s letter dated 06.04.1990
– Thus, there could have been no objection to delay in submission of the
claim for dispute resolution or arbitration given the department itself sat over
the request for settlement of disputes for more than 6 years – The scope of
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jurisdiction of a court, u/ss.30/33 never extended beyond discerning if the
award disclosed an “error apparent on the face of the award” which is an
“error of law apparent on the face of the award and not an error of fact – In
the present case, the award did not facially disclose any error of law; damages
were awarded in accordance with principles embodied in law, and the
findings were based on the evidence placed before the tribunal – Impugned
judgment and the judgment of the trial court set aside – Award restored.
      Arbitration – Arbitration award – Interference – Duty of Courts:
      Held: While adjudging whether an arbitration award calls for
interference, Courts have to be conscious that the arbitrator is the sole
judge of facts; unless an error of law is shown, interference with the
award should be avoided.
      Arbitration – Irregularity alleged making claim untenable:
      Held: There is no merit in the respondent-State’s submission that
the record became defective and procedurally the claim became untenable
because the tribunal was not informed and the appellant did not bring all
heirs of the original contractor on the record – This irregularity was cured
because the trial court’s judgment had arrayed all legal representatives
of the deceased.

       LIST OF CITATIONS AND OTHER REFERENCES

     Major (Retd.) Inder Singh Rekhi v Delhi Development Authority [1988]
3 SCR 351; J.C. Budhraja v. Chairman, Orissa Mining Corporation Ltd. and
Another (2008) 2 SCC 444 : [2008] 1 SCR 821; Bijendra Nath Srivastava
v. Mayank Srivastava [1994] Supp 2 SCR 529; Trustees of Port of Madras
v. Engineering Constructions [1995] Supp 2 SCR 672 – relied on.

       OTHER CASE DETAILS INCLUDING IMPUGNED
              ORDER AND APPEARANCES

     CIVIL APPELLATE JURISDICTION: Civil Appeal Nos. 6107-6108
of 2017.
     From the Judgment and Order dated 13.08.2009 in AFO No. 108 of
2005 and dated 23.11.2010 in AFO No. 108 of 2005 and LPA No.190 of
2009 of the High Court of Bombay at Aurangabad.
           M/S. S.D. SHINDE TR. PARTNER v. GOVT. OF                            369
                   MAHARASHTRA AND ORS.

      With
      Civil Appeal No. 6109 of 2017.
      Appearances:
     Vinay Navare, Sr. Adv., Shashibhushan P. Adgaonkar, Omkar Jayant
Deshpande, Mrs. Pradnya S Adgaonkar, JN Singh, Mrs. Sadhana Singh,
Ms. Shreya Singh, Shashwat Goel, Sachin Pahwa, Arvind S. Avhad, V. K.
Sidharthan, Rahul Chitnis, Sanjay Kharde, Sunil Kumar Verma, Umang
Shankar, Shekhar Kumar, Saurabh Mishra, Abhishek Singh, Mrs. Shreya
Singh, Ms. Priya Kaushik, Advs. for the appearing parties.

       JUDGMENT / ORDER OF THE SUPREME COURT

                                 JUDGMENT
      S. RAVINDRA BHAT, J.
      1. These appeals challenge a common judgment of the Aurangabad
Bench of the Bombay High Court1. The appellant was aggrieved by the
judgment of the trial court2. The trial court had set aside an award made in
the appellant’s favour3 awarding substantial amounts towards its claim, in
the backdrop of a road construction contract.
      2. The first respondent, the Government of Maharashtra Irrigation
Department, through Executive Engineer (hereafter EE), issued a tender
notice for the work “Construction of Earth Work, structure and lining in
Km. No.91 to 110 Kukadi Left Bank Canal”. This tender was accepted, and
a work order was issued on 23.07.1983; the estimated cost of the work was
₹ 4,01,77,153/-. The contract between the parties visualized the period for
completion of work to be 18 (Eighteen) English calendar months. The due
date for completion of work, thus, was 22.01.1985. It was, however, not
completed; several extensions were given, on the understanding that they
were not due to the contractor’s fault.



1 Dated 13.08.2009, in AO 108/2005; the appeal to the Division Bench was rejected on
the ground of maintainability.
2 Joint Civil Judge, Senior Division, Ahmednagar, in R.C.S. No.595/1997.
3 Dated 14.12.1997.
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      3. Disputes arose; the appellant approached the civil court for
appointment of an arbitrator, in terms of the contract. Eventually, the Civil
Judge, Ahmednagar4, appointed an arbitrator for “settling the dispute in
respect of payment of additional and extra work carried by the petitioner
outside of Contract LCB 9/83 -84.”
      4. The arbitrator, by his award5, held the claimant/contractor entitled
to the sum of ₹ 1,50,07,000/- towards various heads and interest at 12% p.a.
for the period 10.12.88 to the date of commencement of arbitration (working
out to ₹ 133.22 lakhs). The arbitrator rejected the state’s counter claim.
      5. The respondent state, aggrieved by the award of the arbitrator,
challenged it under Sections 30/33 of the Indian Arbitration Act (hereafter
“the Act”), claiming that it was the result of legal misconduct. The trial
court set aside the award; this impelled the contractor to approach the High
Court, which rejected his appeal.
       Findings of the Court below
      6. Both the trial court and the High Court held that the award was
vitiated by the legal misconduct of the arbitrator under the old Arbitration
Act6. The courts concluded that the claim was time-barred since the disputes
in relation to the contract originally awarded in 1983 with the stipulation of
the work being completed within eighteen months were no doubt extended
with parties’ consent. It was only in 1991 that the claim for nomination of
the arbitrator was made, which finally led the contractor to approach the
Court under Section 8 of the Act in 1995. It was next held that the order
referring the disputes to arbitration [by the Civil Judge (Senior Division)]
on 25.02.1997 (in Arb. M.A. 1/1995) were in relation to the works carried
on by the contractor under the contract. The courts held that the award of
amounts exceeded the terms of reference in respect of at least three items.
Consequently, it could not be sustained.
      7. It was held that the claims could not be pursued because the
original contractor died and all legal representatives had not joined in the
proceedings: there appeared to be inter se disputes amongst them. This fact


4     By order dated 25.02.1997 in Arb MA 1/1995.
5     Dated 14.12.1997.
6     Indian Arbitration Act, 1940.
       M/S. S.D. SHINDE TR. PARTNER v. GOVT. OF                           371
     MAHARASHTRA AND ORS. [S. RAVINDRA BHAT, J.]

was not disclosed during arbitration proceedings, vitiating the award. It was
also found that in terms of the contract, the claim had to be lodged within
a particular time - within 30 days of the expiration of the defect liability
period. In this regard, it was held that the claim was made much beyond
that period of time and, therefore, contractually precluded.
     Contentions of the parties
      8. Mr. Vinay Navare, learned senior counsel appearing for the
contractor/appellant urged that the findings of the courts below are
unsustainable. He submits firstly that as a matter of law, the finding with
respect to the claims being time-barred in law is untenable; he relies upon the
judgment of this Court reported as Major (Retd.) Inder Singh Rekhi v Delhi
Development Authority7. It was urged in this regard that the final bill relating
to the contract was furnished to the appellant’s predecessor on 14.12.1992.
The contractor’s claim for the amounts made earlier; were rejected by the
EE; the Superintending Engineer (hereafter “SE”) had been approached, yet
no decision was taken for a while. It was in the light of these facts that the
contractor sought for nomination of arbitrator on 21.01.1991. Thereafter, the
final bill was prepared on 14.12.1992. Therefore, the contractor preferred
an application under Section 8 of the Act, which was ultimately decided
on 25.02.1997. The arbitrator’s appointment was within the knowledge of
the department, which was represented through the government pleader.
      9. Learned counsel pointed out to specific findings of the Arbitrator on
aspects such as delay on the part of the Engineer in handing over the site;
delay in handing over drawings and deciding technical issues; shortage in
cement supply; release of waters into the canal which impeded the work
and their duration; shortage of finances and funds for timely release of
interim payments; unabsorbed overheads or loss of profit. It was pointed
out that the arbitrator did not allow all these claims but was discerning in
the findings, in allowing them partially. Counsel pointedly referred to the
contractor’s claim mentioned in the letter written to the EE on 23.09.1988.
That led to the rejection of the initial claim, which resulted in an appeal to
the Superintending Engineer which proved futile. It is pointed out that the
overheads were standing charges and increased for all the work beyond the
stipulated period, which had to be compensated. The main subheads of this


7   1988 [3] SCR 351.
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claim included salaries of supervisory staff; camp establishment; interest
of borrowed capital; stationery; postage; cost of tools and plants; extra cost
for maintenance of labour camps; water supply; medical aid; remobilization
of labour; restarting machinery and plants after every working season;
uncovered advances from piece rate workers and skilled labourers; charges
towards security of the colony, camp etc. and extra wear and tear of tyres
and tubes, etc.
      10. It is pointed out that all these claims were duly taken into account,
and the findings of the High Court that the arbitrator travelled beyond the
claim and the contract was without factual basis. Regarding the sum granted
with respect to the stoppage of work during the release of canal, the arbitrator
took into account the actual period based upon the evidence produced
(C55 and C57), the duration was between 23.08.1987 to 15.10.1987 and
20.07.1988 to 28.08.1988 and between 10.03.1989 to 02.07.1989. It was
pointed out that the arbitrator found that the department had released waters
in the Kharif and Rabi weather without notice. Furthermore, not only was it
impossible to carry on work during the release of water it was not possible
even for a limited duration after that during the canal drying up process,
which entailed some time.
     11. Learned counsel urged the court to interfere with the findings
arguing that the jurisdiction of the Civil Court to interfere with the factual
findings and in the award as also on the interpretation placed by the
Arbitrator, to the terms of the contract to be considered within the narrow
confines of what is legitimately “legal misconduct”.
      12. Mr. Rahul Chitnis, appearing for the state, urged that the final bill
was prepared on 14.12.1992 and was paid on 31.12.1992. It was accepted
under protest. However, notice was given under clause 54A of the agreement
dated 23.09.1988, and thereafter, appeal was filed before Superintending
Engineer. The contractor approached the court on 18.01.1995, long after
the period of limitation had expired.
      13. Learned counsel relied on Clause 55A of the contract to urge that
unless the claims were preferred within 30 days of expiry of the defect
liability period, they could not be entertained. This condition required that
no extra items or claims could be pressed unless they were sought within
that period. In this case, the claim was not lodged within that period, as it
was filed much later. Therefore, it was contractually barred, and the courts
below correctly concluded it to be the case.
       M/S. S.D. SHINDE TR. PARTNER v. GOVT. OF                             373
     MAHARASHTRA AND ORS. [S. RAVINDRA BHAT, J.]

      14. Learned counsel also invited attention of this court to the
observations of courts below, highlighting that the original contractor had
died and all his legal heirs and representatives were not disclosed, and
brought on the record, which became defective. It was lastly urged that
in terms of the contract, claims for loss of profit and for overheads were
inadmissible. The award granted the claim for overheads, which is in clear
error, and consequently, it was rightly set aside by the courts below.
     Analysis and Findings
      15. Before proceeding with the analysis of the rival contentions, it
would be necessary to discuss the relevant terms of the contract. Clause
54A deals with the settlement of disputes. It stipulated that wherever the
contractor considered any work demanded to be outside the requirements
of the contract or considers any drawings, records or rulings of the EE
in any matters in connection with or arising out of the EEs decisions, the
contractor had to seek written instructions or decisions. The EE had to
give his written decision or instruction within 30 days. Thereupon, the
contractor had to proceed to comply with the instructions. In case the
EE did not decide on any issue after being requested, or the contractor
was dissatisfied with the decision, the latter could “appeal to the upward
authority who shall afford an opportunity to the contractor to be heard” in
support of the appeal. The higher authority, i.e., in this case, the SE had
to give a decision within 60 days of the receipt of the appeal.
      16. The stipulation for arbitration was at clause 55A, which was to
be in respect of matters arising out of the contract. Clause 58 dealt with
compensation in respect of delay. One of the conditions for arbitration
stipulated in clause 55A is as follows:
     “Neither party is entitled to bring a claim in arbitration if the arbitrator
     has not been appointed before the expiration of 30 days after defects
     liability period.”
      17. The State’s argument is that the concurrent findings are justified,
both on the ground that the claim was time-barred and also on the ground
that the letter and condition for initiating arbitration, i.e., claiming amounts
within 30 days after the expiry of the defects liability period and that they
were also beyond the stipulated 30 days period after the expiry of the defect
liability period.
374            SUPREME COURT REPORTS                         [2023] 11 S.C.R.


      18. As far as the argument with regard to delay is concerned, the
judgments of this court have clearly held that in such matters, the claim
crystallizes upon the issuance of the final bill – which in this case was on
14.12.1992. The contractor’s complaint with respect to payment was first
aired to the EE in 1988; the rejection resulted in an appeal before the SE,
who never rendered his opinion or decision. Even in 1993, (after the final
bill was drawn), the SE’s decision was not given. In the circumstances, the
claim before the civil court for the appointment of the arbitrator: made in
January, 1995 was within the period of limitation. In Inder Singh Rekhi
(supra), it was held that:
       “It is true that on completion of the work a right to get payment
       would normally arise but where the final bills as in this case have
       not been prepared as appears from the record and when the assertion
       of the claim was made on 28th February, 1983 and there was non-
       payment, the cause of action arose from that date, that is to say, 28th
       of February, 1983.
       It is also true that a party cannot postpone the accrual of cause of
       action by writing reminders or sending reminders but where the bill
       had not been finally prepared, the claim made by a claimant is the
       accrual of the cause of action. A dispute arises where there is a claim
       and a denial and repudiation of the claim.
       The existence of dispute is essential for appointment of an arbitrator
       under Section 8 or a reference under Section 20 of the Act. (See Law
       of Arbitration by R.S. Bachawat, 1st Edition, page 354.)
       There should be dispute and there can only be a dispute when a claim
       is asserted by one party and denied by the other on whatever grounds.
       Mere failure or inaction to pay does not lead to the inference of the
       existence of dispute. Dispute entails a positive element and assertion in
       denying, not merely inaction to accede to a claim or a request. Whether
       in a particular case a dispute has arisen or not has to be found out from
       the facts and circumstances of the case.”
     In J.C. Budhraja v. Chairman, Orissa Mining Corporation Ltd. and
Another,8 this court again addressed the question of limitation as follows:


8     2008 [2] SCC 444.
        M/S. S.D. SHINDE TR. PARTNER v. GOVT. OF                            375
      MAHARASHTRA AND ORS. [S. RAVINDRA BHAT, J.]

     “…The Appellant is obviously confusing the limitation for a petition
     under Section 8(2) of the Arbitration Act, 1940 with the limitation for
     the claim itself. The limitation for a suit is calculated as on the date
     of filing of the suit. In the case of arbitration, limitation for the claim
     is to be calculated on the date on which the arbitration is deemed to
     have commenced.
     26. Section 37(3) of the Act provides that for the purpose of the
     Limitation Act, an arbitration is deemed to have been commenced
     when one party to the arbitration agreement serves on the other party
     thereto, a notice requiring the appointment of an arbitrator. Such a
     notice having been served on 4-6-1980, it has to be seen whether the
     claims were in time as on that date. If the claims were barred on 4-6-
     1980, it follows that the claims had to be rejected by the arbitrator on
     the ground that the claims were barred by limitation. The said period
     has nothing to do with the period of limitation for filing a petition
     Under Section 8(2) of the Act. Insofar as a petition Under Section 8(2)
     is concerned, the cause of action would arise when the other party
     fails to comply with the notice invoking arbitration.”
      In these circumstances, the state’s arguments are insubstantial and are
rejected, with regard to the correct position in law, and the facts of this case.
      19. As far as the question of claims not being within the contracted
period, i.e., within the 30-day time granted after foreclosure of the contract
is concerned, in the opinion of the court, that issue does not arise having
regard to the facts. On account of the inordinate delay (which occurred
in the decision by the authorities, resulting in five extensions of time by
mutual consent), the contractor voluntarily sought foreclosure. That request
was acceded to by the department. There is no dispute that originally,
the period of completion of the contract/works was eighteen months.
The request for foreclosure, therefore, was deemed reasonable by the
department and accepted upon receipt of the appellant contractor’s letter
dated 06.04.1990. Such being the case, there could have been no objection
to delay in submission of the claim for dispute resolution or arbitration
– given that the department itself had sat over the request for settlement
of disputes for more than 6 years. Moreover, the defect liability period
would end only upon both parties expressing satisfaction and recording
376           SUPREME COURT REPORTS                         [2023] 11 S.C.R.


it in an agreed manner or predetermined manner. Concededly, that event
never occurred.
      20. Another area in which the state had argued and succeeded
concurrently was that the award granted compensation in respect of days
when water releases were made in the canal that led to disruption in work.
The award9 noted that the explanation carved out for the purpose of the work
was the period when no work could be carried on during water releases in
the canal at the time of the rabi period. The tribunal noted that the work
was to be done during the kharif period. Further, the tribunal granted
award in respect of three periods, 23.08.1987 to 15.10.1987; 20.07.1988 to
08.08.1988 and 10.03.1989 to 02.07.1989. The tribunal consciously refused
to grant damages for the period 28.11.1986 to January 1987, when the canal
release took place during the rabi period. It was only in respect of the other
three periods when the releases were not during the rabi season and the
period beyond the contract that damages or compensation was calculated
at differential rates, aggregating ₹ 14,18,228/-.
      21. This court finds no merit in the respondent state’s submission that
the record became defective and procedurally the claim became untenable
because the tribunal was not informed and the appellant did not bring all heirs
of the late SD Shinde on the record. It is noteworthy that this irregularity
was cured, so to say, because the trial court’s judgment had arrayed all
legal representatives of the deceased. Consequently, there is no merit in
this submission.
      22. The last question relates to the award of damages. Here, this court
notices that the arbitrators consciously eschewed the grant of compensation
for loss of profit10. The contractors had led evidence disclosing the idle
machinery charges during the reduced turnover of work during the original
period of contract. The charges claimed were based upon evidence such as
the number of workmen employed, the value of equipment, interest on the
value and the total number of working days adopting a shortfall factor of
0.7192. The sum awarded on this head was ₹ 15,72,000. The findings on this
aspect are fully supported by evidence. Likewise, the compensation for the


9 Refer para 06.04.2002.
10 Refer Para 6.1.3 of the Award
        M/S. S.D. SHINDE TR. PARTNER v. GOVT. OF                           377
      MAHARASHTRA AND ORS. [S. RAVINDRA BHAT, J.]

extended period of the contract was granted at ₹ 91,28,000. The contractor’s
evidence and computations were not disputed by the respondent state. This
court observes that there is nothing wrong as this award was based upon the
materials placed by the parties during the arbitration proceeding. The state
did not question them apparently during the arbitral proceedings. So far as
the balance amount (₹ 1.33 crores is concerned), the tribunal granted interest
@ 12 % per annum for the period from when notice or interest was given,
i.e., 10.12.1988 till the date of the award. The respondent state was granted
a reasonable period of two months for payments. Likewise, in the event of
failure, 12% future interest was awarded. Given the prevailing interest rates
at that time when the contract was in force, again the court finds the award
of such rate of interest neither implausible nor illegal.
     23. It is axiomatic that courts, while adjudging whether an arbitration
award calls for interference has to be conscious that the arbitrator is the sole
judge of facts; unless an error of law is shown, interference with the award
should be avoided. In Bijendra Nath Srivastava v Mayank Srivastava,11 it
was observed,
      “If the arbitrator or umpire chooses to give reasons in support of his
      decision it would be open to the court to set aside the award if it finds
      that an error of law has been committed by the arbitrator umpire on
      the basis of the recording of such reasons. The reasonableness of the
      reasons given by the arbitrator cannot, however, be challenged. The
      arbitrator is the sole judge of the quality of the evidence and it will
      not be for the court to take upon itself the task of being a judge of the
      evidence before the arbitrator. The court should approach an award
      with a desire to support it, if that is reasonably possible, rather than
      to destroy it by calling it illegal. [See Champsey Bhara & Co v Jivraj
      Baloo Spq and Wvg. Co. Ltd. (AIR 1923 PC 66); Jivrajbhai Ujameshi
      Sheth v Chintamanrao Balaji (1964 (5) SCR 480); Sudarshan Trading
      Co v Govt of Kerala (1989 (2) SCC 38); Raipur Development Authority
      v Chokamal Contractors (1989 ((3) SCR 144); and Santa Sila Devi v
      Dhirendra Nath Sen (1964 (3) SCR 410).”
     24. It is also noteworthy that the scope of jurisdiction of a court, under
Section 30/33 of the Act, never extended beyond discerning if the award


11   1994 Supp (2) SCR 529.
378            SUPREME COURT REPORTS                        [2023] 11 S.C.R.


disclosed an “error apparent on the face of the award” which is an “error
of law apparent on the face of the award and not an error of fact. The error
of law can be discovered from the award itself or from a document actually
incorporated therein.” (Refer to Trustees of Port of Madras v Engineering
Constructions12). In the facts of the present case, the award did not, facially
disclose any error of law; damages were awarded in accordance with
principles embodied in law, and the findings were based on the evidence
placed before the tribunal. The ruling of the trial courts and the High Court
is nothing short of intense appellate review, which is impermissible in law
and beyond the courts’ jurisdiction.
      25. For the above reasons, this court is of the opinion that the impugned
judgment as well as the judgment of the trial court, cannot be sustained;
they are accordingly set aside. The award is restored. The respondents shall
ensure full payment in terms of the award, to the appellant, within eight
weeks from today. The appeals are allowed in these terms. The appellant
shall be entitled to costs throughout.


Headnotes prepared by:                                          Appeals allowed.
Divya Pandey




12 1995 (Supp 2) SCR 672.