Partly allowed

Maharashtra Film Stage and Cultural Development Corporation Ltd. v. Multi Screen Media Pvt. Ltd.

Bombay HC31 Aug 2012ARBP/574/2008

Case brief

AI extract

What is this about?

This arbitration petition challenged an arbitral award finding a contract valid despite the petitioner's internal lack of Board approval. The High Court upheld the award's validity, rejecting the claim of invalidity due to internal delays. However, the court exercised its discretion to modify the award by reducing the rate of interest from 12% to 9% per annum.

What did the court decide?

The arbitral award was maintained in all respects except the rate of interest, which was reduced from 12% to 9% per annum for all stages.

Maharashtra Film Stage and Cultural Development Corporation Ltd… — Arbitration | Bombay HC (2012)

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IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY

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ORDINARY ORIGINAL CIVIL JURISDICTION

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ARBITRATION PETITION NO. 574 OF 2008

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Maharashtra Film Stage and Cultural Development Corporation Ltd. Film City Complex, Goregaon (East), Mumbai 400065

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......Petitioners

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Vs.

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Multi Screen Media Pvt. Ltd. Formerly known as Set India Pvt.Ltd. Incorporated and registered under The Companies Act, 1956 having registered office at 4^th floor, Interface Building, No.7, Off, Malad Link Road, Mumbai 400064 ......Respondents

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Mr. Shyam Mehta, Senior Counsel with Mr. Ajay Fernandes i/by Government Pleader for the Petitioners.

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Mr. Aspi Chinoy, Senior Counsel with Mr. Anil Menon and Ms. Smruti Kanade i/by M/s. Anil Menon and Associates for the Respondents.

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CORAM :- ANOOP V. MOHTA, J. JUDGMENT RESERVED ON :- 7 August, 2012. JUDGMENT PRONOUNCED ON :- 31 August 2012.

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JUDGMENT:-

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The Petitioner, a Government of Maharashtra Corporation,

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(original Respondent) has challenged Arbitral Award dated 28 July 2008. The operative part of the Award is :

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“(a ) The Respondent is ordered and

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directed to pay to the claimant the sum of Rs.3,16,30,770/- with interest at the rate of 12%

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per annum to be calculated as under :

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I) On Rs.86,30,770/- from 18.04.2002 till payment or realisation, whichever is earlier;

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II) On Rs.1,70,00,000/- from 14.05.2002 till payment or realisation, whichever is earlier;

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III) On Rs.60,00,000/- from 23.10.2002 till payment or realisation, whichever is earlier.

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(b) the Respondent is ordered and directed

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to pay to the Claimant further sum of Rs.1,61,27,759/- with interest thereon to be calculated @ 12% p.a. From the date hereof till payment or realisation, whichever is earlier;

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(b)(i)Counter-claim is not considered for

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want of jurisdiction;

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to pay to the Claimant the costs of arbitration quantified at Rs.26,08,354/-.”

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2 The basic events, as per the Petitioner, are as under :

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On 12 April 2002, the Petitioner entered into an Agreement with

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the Respondent (The agreement). Under the terms, the Petitioner was supposed to grant the Respondent certain broadcast rights of 13 star studded events, each of minimum 180 minutes to be shot between June 2002 and February 2003 for a consideration of Rs.12,78,00,000/- to be paid by the Respondent to the Petitioner in various tranches mentioned in clause 4 of the agreement.

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3 On 17 April 2002, the agreement was signed and executed by then MD Shri Govind Swarup for the Petitioner and CEO Kunal Das Gupta for the Respondent. Two hand-written additions were made to the agreement before the execution. The same was affirmed by the MD letter dated 17 April 2002. The addition were :

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Clause 4 (iii) : Mr. Shahab Ahmed, proprietor of M/s. Montage would fully be responsible for coordination and execution of the project.

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Clause 7(a) : Depositing the cheques in a new bank a/c named “Hum Ek Hain Flim City”. The Chief accountant for the Petitioner Mr. A.G. Shukla and Mr. Shahad Ahmed proprietor of M/s. Montage jointly operated the a/c.

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4 On 18 April 2002, the Respondent made the first payment to the Petitioner in pursuance of the agreement of Rs.1,27,27,000/- in favour of “Hum Ek Hain Film City”. Deducting a TDS amount of Rs.2,73,000/-. On 14 May 2002, the Respondent made the second payment in pursuance of the agreement of Rs.1,66,43,000/- in favour of “Hum Ek Hain Film City”. Deducting a TDS amount of Rs.3,57,000/-.

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5 On 24 June 2002, the Respondent received letter from Mr. Shahab Ahmed stating that they had reached an agreement with G.S. Entertainment. Also stating that, one Mr. Guneet Walia and one Mr. Sohail Khan with their term would direct the shows (13 events as contemplated in the Licence Agreement).

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6 On 8 August 2002, vide letter from the Petitioner referred to the contract dated 8 August 2002 between the Petitioner and one “Garnet paper mills ltd.” alias K. Sera Sera Ltd. The Petitioner requested the Respondent to make a further payment of Rs. 3,35,00,000/- directly to K. Sera Sera Ltd. On behalf of the Appellant, against delivery of master tapes of 5 shows. On 9 October 2002, the Respondent vide

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letter confirmed the new arrangement of pay-out request sent by the

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Petitioner vide letter on 8.8.2002 and sought confirmation from the Petitioner regarding the same. On 23 October 2002, the Respondent made payment of Rs.60,00,000/- to Garnet Paper Mills Ltd alias K. Sera & Sera Limited on behalf of the Petitioner. Deducting a TDS of amount of Rs.1,26,000/-. On 24 December 2002, first episode out of the thirteen episodes was delivered to the Respondent by Mr. Shahad Ahmed.

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7 On 15 January, 2003, the Petitioner received an opinion from Advocate General of Maharashtra in regard to the alleged Agreement, opining that Govind Swarup had acted malafide and the alleged Agreement dated 12 April 2002 was executed without approval from the Board of Directors and therefore the Petitioner could repudiate the Agreement. On 16 January 2003, the Board of Directors of the Petitioner passed a resolution “Disowning” the Agreement. On 10 February 2003, the Petitioner through its Advocate issued a letter dated 10 February 2003 to the Respondent whereby the Petitioner disowned the Agreement.

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8 On 17 January 2005, the Respondent vide letter through their Advocate terminated the agreement with the Petitioner and called

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upon to refund the sum of Rs3,60,00,000/- along with 18% interest from the date of remittance. On 24 March 2005, the Respondent Advocate's letter invoked the arbitration agreement under clause 19.2 of the licence agreement, since the Petitioner did not file reply to the Respondent's termination of the agreement. The Respondent nominated Justice D.R. Dhanuka (retd) as its nominee Arbitrator and requested to nominate its arbitrator within 21 days or to consent for the sole arbitration.

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9 On 16 June, 2005, the Petitioner appointed Justice Jhunjhunwala (retd) as the second arbitrator. In pursuance on the clause 12(2)(b) of the licence agreement the Arbitrators appointed Justice B.P. Saraf (retd) as the Presiding Arbitrator.

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10 On 6 August, 2005, the Respondent filed its Statement of Claim before Arbitral Tribunal, the Petitioner filed its written Statement.

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11 On 19 October 2006, the Arbitral Tribunal, on Section 16 Application, held that there exists a valid, legal and binding arbitration agreement in writing as contemplated by Section 7 of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 (for short, `the Arbitration

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Act'). On 28 July 2008, the Arbitral Tribunal has passed the Final

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Award.

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12 The relevant clauses of the Agreement are as under :

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“2 MFSCDC hereby irrevocably grants exclusive Rights in favour of SET in the Events for the entire world in perpetuity, free from any restriction or encumbrance of whatsoever nature and undertakes to perform obligation in respect of the Events as contained in this Agreement.

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3 In consideration of MFSCDC granting exclusive and irrevocable Rights in respect of the Events free from any restriction or encumbrance of whatsoever nature and further undertaking to perform all of its obligations as contained in this Agreement without breach, SET shall pay to MFSCDC a lumpsum consideration of Rs.12,78, 00,000/- (Rupees Twelve Crores Seventy Eight Lakhs only) in the manner and at the time as stated in this Agreement.

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The consideration mentioned hereinabove is inclusive of all statutory levies, withholding taxes, payable, if any, and shall be reduced to the extent SET may be required to deduct such levies and/or taxes at source as required by law.

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4 MFSCDC agrees and acknowledges that the consideration payable by SET to MFSCDC in terms of this Agreement shall be paid by SET to MFSCDC in the following manner:

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I) Rs.1,30,00,000/- (Rupees One crore Thirty lakhs only) on execution of this Agreement.

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II) Rs.1,70,00,000/- (Rupees One crore Seventy lakhs only) on or after Fifteen (15) days after execution of

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this Agreement.

III) Rs.75,23,000/- (Rupees Seventy Five Lakhs Twenty Three thousand only) for each of the Events, on or after Seven (7) days after delivery of technically and creatively accepted master tapes for each of the Events and subject to MFSCDC furnishing to SET consents from all the Participants and the NOC's required from relevant authorities for conducting the Event. The cheque should be drawn in favour of Hum Ek Hain Film City.

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5 Towards the consideration payable by SET to MFSCDC in terms of this Agreement, MFSCDC may request SET from time to time to make payment on its behalf to third parties. MFSCDC agrees with SET that SET shall have a right, in its sole discretion to accept or reject such request of MFSCDC. It is further agreed by MFSCDC with SET that payment to third parties as stated herein shall be treated as a valid discharge of SET's obligations for payment of consideration to MFSCDC in terms of this Agreement.

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6 MFSCDC further agrees that consideration, if any, payable to the Participants shall be borne by MFSCDC. Further, MFSCDC undertakes that minimum Two (2) of the Events shall contain different performances by A Category Stars, as detailed in Annexure A to this Agreement.

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7 MFSCDC shall produce the Event in accordance with, the concept, duration and flow of the Events, as devised by V mutually along with SET. However, the same shall be subject to creative inputs from SET during the production of the Events. SET shall designate its representative, as “Executive Producer” for such purposes of creative inputs and V shall take all such instructions from the “Executive Producer”.

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7(a) Mr. Shahab Ahmed of Montage will be fully

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responsible for the coordination and execution of the project to full satisfaction as per our agreement with Montage."

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13 The Memorandum of Association of Maharashtra Film Stage and Cultural Development Corporation Ltd read and referred and specially clause 86 as under :

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“86 Without prejudice to the general powers conferred by the last preceding Article and the other powers conferred by these Articles and subject to the provisions of the Act the Board shall have the following powers, that is to say, power :

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(18)To enter into all such negotiations and contracts and rescined any vary all such contracts and execute and do all such acts, deeds and things in the name and on behalf of the Company as they may consider expedient for or in relation to any of the matters aforesaid or otherwise for the purposes of the Company.

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(19)To delegate all or any of the powers, authorizes and discretion for the time being invested in it, subject, however to the ultimate control and authority being retained by it.”

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14 Clause 88 deals with the appointment of Managing Director.

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The delegation of powers as revised in Board Meeting No.68/3 held on 26.11.98 is another important provision, read and referred by the

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parties. The relevant extract is as under :

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Sr.No	Nature of powers	Authority competent to exercise the powers	Extent of powers	General conditions if any
92	Power to sign on the company's behalf the contracts and documents.	1 Managing Director 2 Head of the Deptt.	Full powers. Full powers in respect of concerned Deptt. Work	Subject to approval Competent Authority.

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15 The learned Arbitral Tribunal has considered in detail the agreements, its clauses, evidence led by the parties and came to the conclusion that both the parties agreed and acted upon for more than 10 months. Therefore, the finding that there exists an agreement as contemplated under Section 7 of the Arbitration Act just cannot be stated to be incorrect and/or contrary to the law. All ingredients as contemplated for the same are available. There exists a written agreement/document between the parties; signed and accepted by the parties; and both the parties admittedly pursuance to the same read with the correspondences and the letter so exchanged acted upon. Admittedly, after 10 months, based upon the legal opinion, the letter was issued to disown the agreement. This itself means, everyone recognized and accepted the agreement between the parties for more than 10 months. Unless there exists any agreement between the parties, even as per the understanding of the Petitioner, there was no

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occasion for them to disown and/or dislodge the written document by saying that it was not acceptable for want of prior approval. The resolution and the Board meeting and the relevant extracts of the same as referred in letter dated 26 November 1998 itself shows that the power was given to sign on behalf of the Petitioner Corporation to execute every contract and documents by the Managing Director/Head of Department. The unrestricted power as provided itself shows that the agreement in question was signed by the Competent/authorised person at the relevant time. The alleged requirement “subject to approval of Competent Authority” in no way, takes away the right and/or power of Managing Director to sign on behalf of the Petitioner/Company any type of agreement and/or contract. Therefore, having once provided and as there is no dispute even in this regard that it was subject to prior approval, even if any, in no way, can be stated that there exists no written agreement between the parties. The requirement of prior approval, even if any, therefore, that itself cannot be the reason to overlook the existence of agreed and binding agreement between the parties. The requirement of Section 7 read with the General Provisions of contract, in my view, have been totally fulfilled. The relevant aspect is that all the parties after recognising this mode of execution of agreement, as it was well

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within the purview and power even as per the Memorandum read with Board meeting resolution actually, acted upon. Pursuance to the agreement, the money/amounts have been transferred and accepted. The parties in fact, based upon the payment, proceeded further to provide and/or accepted the TDS deduction in accordance with law.

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16 The subsequent challenge to the agreement, even if any, for want of alleged prior approval, therefore, in no way sufficient to accept the case of the Petitioner that the agreement so executed was without authority, invalid and/or not binding for want of supporting proof and material as alleged. The party once execute the agreement, based upon the authority even through the particular Officer and in fact acted upon, even if wants to challenge the same authorisation and/or authority for whatever may be the reason, including the reason of prior approval must make positive averments to support the same by leading evidence to prove contrary. Mere allegations that the agreement is invalid, not binding, unauthorised itself, in my view, are insufficient. They failed to discharge their burden of proof as alleged. They themselves unable to disprove the same and/or dislodge the written agreement in question.

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17 The fact remains that there admittedly exists the binding arbitration agreement/clause. The learned Tribunal is right by observing that the agreement is valid and binding and so also the jurisdiction of the Tribunal to proceed with the matter. Even otherwise, taking overall view of the matter, considering the reasoning so given by the learned Tribunal in this aspect in no way can be stated to be contrary to law, unjust and perverse.

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18 The learned Tribunal has noted the following important aspect in the matter :

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“21 Besides the documentary evidence

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produced on record, on behalf of the Claimant, oral evidence of four witnesses viz. Ms. Dipti Kotak, Mr. Kunal Das Gupta, Mr. Vinod Berry and Mr. Prasad Sivaramakrishnan, a Chartered Accountant by profession has also been led. Ms. Dipti Kotak was partly cross-examined on behalf of the Respondent at two sittings of the Arbitral Tribunal and not thereafter.

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The other said witnesses of the Claimant have not been cross-examined on behalf of the Respondent and their

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oral testimony has remained uncontroverted. On behalf of the Respondent, at the stage of hearing of Respondent's Application made under Section 16 of the Act, two witness viz., Mr. V.J. Rathod and Mr. Yashwant S. Patil were examined who were cross-examined on behalf of the Claimant. No oral evidence has been led on behalf of the Respondent after the Order on the Respondent's Application under Section 16 of the Act was passed.”

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19 The learned Tribunal, therefore, having held that the agreement dated 12 April 2002 is valid and binding, observing further that same was never executed only between the claimant and Mr. Govind Swarup and/or Mr. Shahad Ahmad in their individual capacity. There was no contra material placed by the Petitioner, though specific pleas/issues were raised. The party one who raises specific pleas and/or defences, but fails to support the same, that itself destroy their own case, as well as, the defence. In such situation, the case of the claimant and/or other side get confirmed that there exists valid and binding agreement between the parties. The learned Tribunal, therefore, right in observing that a frivolous plea was taken by the

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Respondent in this regard. It is observed as under :

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“e) ….. All contracts on behalf of the

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Respondent used to be signed by the then Managing Director of the Respondent and the third parties including the claimant were even entitled to presume in good faith and in ordinary course of business that the then Managing Director of the Respondent was duly authorized by the Respondent to enter into agreements on behalf of the Respondent including the said Agreement entered with the Claimant and address various letters on behalf of the Respondent including to

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the claimant. The claimant had no reason to suspect alleged lack of honesty or alleged malafides the said Govind Swarup, the said Shaheb Ahmed or the Chief Accountant of the Respondent the said A.G. Shukla. We cannot ignore the conduct of the claimant and the Respondent in acting upon the said Agreement and in part-performance thereof. The Claimant has paid large amounts to the Respondent as stated hereinabove and

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TDS Certificates in respect thereof issued to the Respondent were duly received by the Respondent and

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in respect whereof the Respondent has received benefit by getting credit for the same in its Income Tax Returns. These facts are undisputable.”

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20 It is clearly recorded the agreement between the parties based upon the resolution dated 29 November 1998, as the Managing Director was duly authorised and empowered to sign and enter into such contract. It is relevant to note the nature of business and the transactions, in such media and television commercial world. The parties knew the particular nature of business and involvement of other parties. The trade, practice and usage and respective conduct in similarly conditions, where both the parties accepted and proceeded with clear understanding, specifically when there was no dispute even as per the case of the Petitioner, that the Managing Director was authorised to sign and enter into the contract. The parties actually signed the contracts. They acted upon the same for more than 10 months. The amounts have been also exchanged/received. Therefore, the issue with regard to the non-prior approval of the Board of Directors of the Respondent, in no way, takes away the binding effect of such contract at least at the instance of the Petitioner. It is not the case that any third person is objecting to

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such authorisation and/or power of the Managing Director to sign and/or execute such agreement. The Petitioner, permitted by the resolution such Officer to execute and enter into such contract and gives all powers, later on, for whatever may be the reason and/or internal dispute and/or conflict, in no way, entitled to disturb and/or takes away the right already created and agreed in favour of other party, unless a case of fraud, collusion is made out and proved.

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21 It is settled that one whosoever raises the specific plea about the fraud and collusion, must prove the same apart from positive averments in support of the allegations. In the present case, as noted, though the averments were made with regard to the alleged “fraud” and/or “collusion”, admittedly, no evidence in support of the same was placed on record though there was full opportunity available with them. The Petitioner led evidence of two witnesses, only at the stage of preliminary issue of jurisdiction. Though some evidence was also led initially, but later on, when the matter proceeded further on merits, based upon the rival contentions, no evidence by and/or through available witness was led for any of the averments so specifically raised by the Petitioner even to disprove and/or to destroy the positive averments made by the Respondent/claimant.

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22 The specific plea of fraud and collusion, if Petitioner failed to prove, then that itself destroys their own defence with regard to the existence of valid agreement, read with the authorised and permissible and binding effect of the contract in question. The further conduct of the Petitioner, apart from the correspondences itself shows that at all the times, except after 10 months, but for legal opinion, both the parties actually acted upon by treating the contract and its terms and conditions binding in every aspect. Apart from the acceptance of money, by producing one event at its Studio in Filmcity and it was accordingly handed over and telecasted.

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23 The observation of Tribunal is noted as under :

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“b) ….... The copies of the Minutes of Board

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Meetings of the Respondent for considerable period, which have been produced by the Respondent, have

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been perused by us. The witness for the Respondent have admitted that all these Minutes do not reflect that the contracts which were to be executed or actually

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executed by the then Managing Director of the Respondent were always placed before meetings of

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Board of Directors of Respondent for its prior consent

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or expost facto approval.”

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24 The aspects with regard to issue Nos. iv, v and vii have been dealt with in the following words :

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“25 On Point No.(iv) :

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a) The Claimant has proved that the said Agreement

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was entered into by the Claimant in good faith and the Claimant had initially paid the sums aggregating to Rs.3,00,00,000/- by issuing, at the instance of the Respondent, cheques drawn in favour of “Hum Ek Hain Filmcity” which account was jointly operated by the Chief Accountant of the Respondent and the said Shahed Ahmed and benefit of TDS deducted therefrom has been admittedly enjoyed by the Respondent. The Tax Deduction Certificates issued by the Claimant were in favour of the Respondent and the same were utilized by the Respondent in its Income Tax assessments. The Claimant made further payment of Rs.60,00,000/under the said Agreement also at behest of the Respondent. Ms. Dipti Kotak was partly cross-

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examined on behalf of the Respondent. The Claimant was always read and willing to perform its part of the said Agreement. None of other three witnesses of the Claimant were cross-examined on behalf of the Respondent. The oral testimony of these witnesses of the Claimant has remained uncontroverted. We accept the oral testimony of all the witness examined on behalf of the Claimant. The oral testimony of witnesses examined on behalf of the Claimant is supported by documentary evidence on record.”

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25 The Tribunal has also recorded in para 26 on points No. (v) and (vi) as under :

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“26 On points No. (v) and (vi)

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a) …... The Respondent has not led any evidence whatsoever to prove the alleged collusion. The claimant has proved that the claimant has acted in good faith. If the office bearers of the Respondent or the said Shaheb Ahmed have deceived the Respondent as alleged by the Respondent or committed financial irregularities, the Claimant cannot be blamed for the

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same. Merely because the cheques were issued by the Claimant in favour of “Hum Ek Hain Filmcity” an account which was jointly operated by Respondent through its Chief Accountant, no collusion on the part of the Claimant can be inferred as alleged by the Respondent. Similarly, cheque for Rs.60 lacs was issued by the Claimant in favour of Garnet Paper Mills Limited alias K. Sera & Sera Ltd at the behest of the Respondent. The Claimant had deducted TDS from each of the above referred payments for being deposited in the treasury to the credit of Respondent.

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The Respondent utilized all the TDS Certificates for all these payments and took credit for the Tax deducted from these payments in their Income Tax Assessments. The witnesses of the Respondent have stated in their testimony that their alleged plea of collusion was based on `presumption'. We can neither rely upon or accept such a vague deposition. No fraud has been proved by the Respondent.

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b) We also hold that the Respondent have failed to

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prove the allegation of fraud and/or collusion. The

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Respondent has chosen not to participate in the arbitral

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proceedings held to consider the claimant's claim on merits save and except at two sittings when Ms. Dipti Kotak, a witness at the claimant, was partly crossexamined. Despite several notices of the hearings held after withdrawal of appearance by the learned Advocate for the Respondent, the Respondent has chosen not to appear and participate in the arbitral proceedings.”

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26 Admittedly, it was typical commercial contract considering the respective requirements and obligations. Third person/parties are always involved in such type of preparation/production of event which require to be telecasted on time basis as per the agreement. Third agencies/parties are always part and parcel of such production and/or contract. The Petitioner themselves just cannot through their officers and/or servants can start and/or produce the so-called events. Expertise body/third persons are always involved. Knowing this nature of business, therefore, as recorded, specific clauses were inserted in the agreements; if both the parties permit and agree, based upon their respective obligations, to make payments in the

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name of third person and/or other than the parties who are signing the documents and accordingly acted also, later on to say that such clauses whereby the payments were even supposed to be made in the account of third person, in no way, can be challenged that it was impermissible or illegal at the instance of the Petitioner. The party one who sign and accept with such type of clause and in fact agreed for such mode of payment, for want of any contra material and unless prohibited by law, cannot be stated to be impermissible and/or illegal. As noted above, in such type of television or film production, the third persons/agencies are always involved. Whatever may be the agreement between the parties, either party in a given case, may be under the obligation to make the respective payment to such third person/party. Therefore, if they agreed and as permissible, its acceptable mode and practice between the parties, such payment and/or transfer of money arising out of the transaction between the parties, based upon the agreement in question, in no way, can be stated to be in collusion and/or with ulterior motive and/or it was intended defraud and/or only with an intention to execute the private agreement between the private parties. In the present case, as recorded, the Petitioner failed to prove anything, not even led supporting evidence though specific specific averments were raised in

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this regard of fraud, collusion, mis-representation etc. The learned Tribunal has dealt with all these aspects in detail.

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27 The learned counsel appearing for the Petitioner has relied upon a Division Bench judgment of this Court in Abdul Hamid Patel and anr. vs. State of Maharashtra & ors. ,¹ , to support the submission that such contract so entered into was held to be bad for various reasons as recorded in the public interest litigation. The challenge was raised under Article 226 of the Constitution against the allotment Government land without complying with the norms. Such submissions based upon subsequent events are impermissible for the Court under Section 34 to accept. The observation even if so referred and raised, in my view, are of no assistance in the present facts and circumstances, as recorded above, though opportunity was available, the Petitioner never proved the case of fraud, collusion and/or any misrepresentation. We are not dealing with the Public Interest Litigation. The learned Tribunal has dealt with the actual commercial contract between the parties where both the parties have led their respective evidence. The finding given by the learned Tribunal, based upon the material available on record, read with taking note of 1 2012(2) Bom.C.R. 540

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various clauses of the agreement between the parties and by noting the conduct of the parties and ultimately based upon the common existing practice, trade and usage between the parties, in no way, can be stated to be contrary to law and/or the record.

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28 Both the parties being commercial men entered into the

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contract. There is no question of now disowning the same and/or dislodging the same, merely because they unable to continue and/or fulfill their part of the contract. The power, authority and/or allegation even if any against any particular officer or official, that itself is insufficient to deny the accrued right so created. The departmental action and/or initiation of any proceedings against any particular officer, even if any, no way sufficient to deny the respective obligations so created under the valid and binding agreement as recorded by the learned Tribunal. The inside conflicts and or politics of the officers because of change of management, or head of the department, no way sufficient to throw away even prior agreements or the contract, specially in the present case, as the Petitioner unable to bring any contra material on the record except bare allegations. The

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learned commercial minded Arbitrators, taken note of, and have passed reasoned order, I see there is no case made out to interfere

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with the same even on this ground.

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29 It is relevant to note the observation of the learned Tribunal:

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“29 On Points No. (x), (xi) and (xii).

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a) The Claimant has referred to and relied upon clauses 3, 4 and 5 of the said Agreement providing that

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the Respondent could request to Claimant to make payments by issue of cheques in favour of third parties. The Claimant did so at behest of the Respondent. Having regard to facts on record and the business collaboration between the Respondent and third parties, we do not find conduct of Claimant suspicious or malafide.

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b) By letter dated 8^th August, 2002 duly signed by the said Govind Swarup of the Respondent, the Respondent specifically acknowledged the receipt of Rs.3,00,00,000/- and sought further payment in sum of Rs.3,35,00,000/- in favour of Garnet Paper Mills Ltd alias K. Sera & Sera Limited. Thereafter, a sum of Rs. 60 lacs was paid by the Claimant to the said K. Sera

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& Sera Limited vide cheque dated 21.10.2002. Sums

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aggregating to Rs.1,27,27,000/- were deducted by the Claimant on account of TDS while making payments. The T.D.S. Certificates were duly forwarded by the Claimant to the Respondent. Copies of all the three TDS Certificates issued by the Claimant in favour of Respondent have been brought on record through the evidence of Yashwant S. Patil during the course of his cross-examination held on 10^th December, 2006. T.D.S. Certificates from the Claimant which were in respect of all the said three payments made by the Claimant to the Respondent under the said Agreement. The Respondent has in fact utilized these T.D.S. Certificates and took credit for the amount deducted in their Income Tax assessments. At the belated stage, the Respondent now want to deny even the payments referred to in the said T.D.S. Certificates. We cannot accept such a plea.”

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30 The learned Tribunal also considered that the Petitioner failed to prove any novation in the agreement, and has observed as under :

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“30 On points No. xii(a) and xiii(b)

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a) The plea of alleged novation of the said

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Agreement is not proved by the Respondent. The Claimant has not been a party to the alleged addendum to the said Agreement. The alleged addendum or a copy thereof was not even forwarded to the Claimant. When V. J. Rathod of the Respondent

¶208

was questioned in this behalf, he admitted that he did not know about it. There is no evidence to prove the

¶209

plea of alleged novation. We reject this plea.”

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It is clearly observed that the dis-owning of such contract was an afterthought, wrong and in breach of the agreement itself. This action itself means that the Petitioner are only liable to refund the amount.

¶211

31 The learned Tribunal in fact even noted the expression “Event” and “Event of minimum three hours in duration” as provided in the agreement and awarded the reasonable amount, based upon the agreed clauses and the material, which reads thus:

¶212

“31 On points No. (xiv) and (xvi)

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a) The expression “Event” has been defined in

¶214

the said Agreement as “Event of minimum three hours in duration”. Clause 1(b) of the said Agreement is

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specific on this point. It has been established by evidence of Ms. Dipti Kotak that only one Event out of

¶219

the 13 Events required to be delivered by the Respondent under the said Agreement was delivered to the Claimant on 29^th December, 2002 and even the Event delivered was of 80 minutes only in place and stead of contractual period of 180 minutes. The Respondent failed to deliver to the Claimant the balance 12 Events and committed breach of the said Agreement resulting into causing of loss to the Claimant. Thus, the Respondent is entitled to proportionate credit of Rs.43,69,230/- on basis of calculation of Rs.12,78,00,000/- for 13 Events as provided in the said Agreement and more particularly set out in the Statement of Claim read with `Particulars of Claim' annexed thereto. The Claimant has made payments of sums aggregating to Rs.3,60,00,000/- to the Respondent as advance payments by three cheques as discussed earlier. Thus, we award refund of principal amount of Rs.3,16,30,770/- by the Respondent to the Claimant from the excess payment

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made by the Claimant to the Respondent, that is, Rs.3,60,00,000/- minus Rs.43,69,230/- credited for `one Event' by way of part performance as aforesaid. We also award simple interest thereon @ 12% per annum calculated as set out hereinafter :-

¶224

I) On Rs.1,30,00,000/- minus Rs.43,69,230/- being cost of one Event, that is, on Rs.86,30,770/- from 18-402 till payment;

¶225

II) On Rs.1,70,00,000/- from 14-5-02 till payment; III) On Rs.60,00,000/- from 23-10-02 till payment.

¶226

b) We are not persuaded to grant compound interest or interest @ 18% p.a as prayed for. The above referred rate of interest is for pre-reference, pendente lite as well as post Award period being the reasonable prevailing rate of interest as the Claimant is to be compensated for being out of enjoyment of the said money nomenclature apart.

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c) ….............. i) …........ ii) …........

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iii) …. The evidence led on behalf of the

¶232

claimant is supported by large numbers of reliable documents including Exhibits C-5 and C-6. The oral evidence of Ms. Dipti Kotak, the said Kunal Das Gupta, the said Vinod Berry, Vice-President of the Claimant

¶233

and of the said Mr. Prasad Sivaramkrishnan, the Chartered Accountant read with documentary evidence led on behalf of Claimant is quite convincing and prove that the Respondent committed breach of the said Agreement and consequently, the Claimant has suffered loss of profit to the extent of Rs.1,61,27,759/-. We have thus upheld the claims of the Claimant to the extent mentioned above. For these reasons, the Respondent is also liable to pay the said sum of Rs.1,61,27,759/- to the Claimant also with interest at the rate of 12% per annum from the date hereof till payment or realisation, whichever is earlier.”

¶234

32 I have already in Union of India vs. Sun Media Services,

¶235

Mumbai ,² taken note of a situation where the Government, though

¶236

2 2011 (5) Mh. L. J. 749

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invited tender and based upon the same, parties acted upon, but for whatever may be the reason, unable to execute the contract as required. The issue was whether because the Government failed to execute the agreement that itself is sufficient to deny the right so created between the parties and specifically when both of them acted upon. The Apex Court in State of U. P. and ors. v. Combined Chemicals Company Private Limited ,³ taking note of such situation also recorded that the Government at least cannot say `no' and/or deny the claim to the claimant merely because they failed to execute the agreement so advertised. The Apex Court has taken note of the fact that having once invited tender and the party acted upon, the claimant and/or such policy definitely entitled to get the required compensation and/or amount. For want of execution of actual document/agreement in no way takes away the right. I, therefore, in that matter, based upon the same, granted the claim. In the present case, the case is that for want of so-called approval, the alleged agreement/contract is not binding, in my view, is of no consequence. Admittedly, no time was fixed and nothing is mentioned and/or brought on record to show that the so-called approval is required prior and/or even at least at the time of the execution upon the agreement.

3 (2011) 2 SCC 151

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The concerned Managing Director, based upon the permissible resolution executed the document, signed and both the parties proceeded accordingly, and before expiry of the contract itself the socalled action of disowning the contract was taken by the Petitioner. If there is no time prescribed for want of approval and nothing brought on record to that effect, in a given case, the approval could have been at any point of time, even on the last date of payment or of contract. The pre-judged and pre-supposed action of the Petitioner, in my view, looses all force of its actions and the defence; the moment they terminate the contract in such fashion only on the ground of prior approval.

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33 So far as the counter claim is concerned, the learned Tribunal has dealt in paragraphs 32 and 35. Para 32 reads thus : “32 a) We hold that we have no jurisdiction to entertain the counter claim of the Respondent as it is not within the ambit and scope of the arbitration agreement incorporated in the said Agreement and there being no separate arbitration agreement in existence between the Claimant and the Respondent for reference thereof to arbitration. The Respondent

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has already filed a Civil Suit in the Hon'ble High Court at Bombay for the same relief which is pending. At one stage, the Respondent had applied for withdrawal of its counter claim filed but it is not clear as to what the Respondent want. The Respondent stopped appearing before the Arbitral Tribunal at final stage of the proceedings as aforesaid. We do not entertain the Counter claim for lack of jurisdiction. The Counter claim is in respect of a district and different transaction. In any event, the Respondent has not proved its counter claim. For want of jurisdiction, the counter claim of the Respondent is neither entertained nor adjudicated upon and points Nos. (xvii), (xviii) and (xix) are answered accordingly. On point No.(xx), see the operative part of the Award hereunder.”

¶251

34 There is no specific challenge raised about the counter claim and rightly so because of pendency of the civil matter in the High Court. The Arbitral Tribunal, therefore, even otherwise, would not have been in a position to adjudicate the same. No such point was raised in the

present petition.

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35 The Tribunal has considered the aspect of costs in para 33, and provided the detailed reasons, as under :

¶257

“33 The Claimant has also claimed the cost of

¶258

arbitral proceedings from the Respondent. Normal rule is that the award of cost is to follow the event. In the present case, the Claimant is succeeding though not fully. As per Statement of Costs submitted by the learned Advocates for the Claimant as costs incurred by the Claimant, the Claimant has incurred cost of Venue of arbitration amounting to Rs.16,854/-, of aggregate sum of Rs.25,82,500/- paid as fees to the Arbitrators including such share of fees payable by the Respondent which the Respondent did not pay, of Rs.9,000/- paid to the stenographer and of Rs.5,66,191/- paid as fees to its advocates. As regards

¶259

the fees paid by the Claimant to its advocates, since both parties have incurred the same, we do not award

¶260

it to the Claimant. However, the other costs incurred

¶261

by the Claimant as aforesaid aggregating to

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Rs.26,08,354/- are awarded to the Claimant and the

¶266

Respondent is ordered and directed to pay the same to the Claimant.”

¶267

36 I have in Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Ltd. & anr. v. Dolphin Drilling Limited & anr .,⁴ referring to the commercial agreement and referring to Reliance Natural Resources Ltd vs. Reliance Industries Limited ,⁵ as under :

¶268

“6.03 In construing a contract all parts of it must be given effect where possible, and no part of it should be treated as inoperative or surplus.”

¶269

The Supreme Court in Vodafone International Holdings B.V. vs.

¶270

Union of India and another ,⁶ while dealing with commercial contract held that any business transaction and the related clauses need to be read together and not dissecting it. The refund and the claims so awarded by considering the rival contention and the material, requires no interference. The award is well within the law and the record.

¶271

37 Now remains the question of interest. As recorded, the Tribunal 4 2012 (4) Bom. C.R. 640 5 2007 (Supp.) Bom. C.R. 925

¶272

6 (2012) 341 I.T.R. 1 (SC)

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has awarded at the rate of 12% per annum on the respective claims from the respective dates. It covers all the interest at all stages. However, I am inclined to interfere with the rate of interest so awarded. As per the Award, the amounts should have been paid and/or deposited within the time so prescribed. The Petition was filed on 24 October 2008 and directed to be heard finally at admission stage in July 2009 and ultimately the Petition was admitted on 7 April 2011. Admission of Section 34 Petition itself means no finality to the Award. For the reason of pendency, I am inclined to observe that the Petitioner should not only be liable to suffer this rate of interest because of pendency of the matter. The question of depositing the amount comes only if Award attains finality. The Petition is now heard in August 2012. Once the Award attains finality, subject to Appeal, even if any, the Respondent, in a given case, may have been entitled to get the full amount from the date of Award and as awarded. I am inclined to reduce the rate of interest at 9% per annum, being present Bank rates, for and at all stages instead of 12% per annum, considering the present facts and circumstances of the case. The Arbitrator is empowered to exercise his jurisdiction to grant the rate of interest as there is no specific rate of interest agreed between the parties. The Court, under Section 34, is also entitled to

¶277

38 arbp-574-08.sxw

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consider the facts and circumstances of the case, and to grant particular rate of interest while confirming the Award. Therefore, taking overall view of the matter, I am inclined, to reduce the rate of interest to 9% per annum for all the stage, instead of 12% as awarded.

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38 The Arbitration Petition is accordingly disposed of in the above terms. The Award is maintained in all respects except the rate of interest by reducing it to 9% per annum instead of 12% as awarded for all the stages. The Award is modified to that extent only.

¶281

39 There shall be no order as to costs.

¶282

(ANOOP V. MOHTA, J.)

Maharashtra Film Stage and Cultural Development Corporation Ltd. v. Multi Screen Media Pvt. Ltd.

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Maharashtra Film Stage and Cultural Development Corporation Ltd. v. Multi Screen Media Pvt. Ltd.

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