LPA-1213-2016 (O&M), High Court of Punjab and Haryana at Chandigarh, decided 05.08.2025 (oral judgment authored by Kuldeep Tiwari J.; bench comprised Ashwani Kumar Mishra and Kuldeep Tiwari JJ.). Intra-court appeal under Clause X of the Letters Patent by Indian Oil Corporation Limited and others against the learned Single Judge's order and judgment dated 03.02.2016, which disposed of the writ petition of M/s Preet Filling Station (respondent No.1) with a direction to the appellant-Corporation to supply petroleum products to it. Background: dealership terminated vide communication dated 02.05.2002; earlier writ CWP-9562-2002 dismissed as withdrawn to enable arbitration under clause 69 of the agreement; Arbitrator appointed by the Corporation passed award dated 09.08.2005 declining restoration of dealership but granting damages; the award attained finality as the petitioner did not challenge it under Section 34 of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996; a Coordinate Bench stayed the impugned judgment vide order dated 11.08.2017. Held (ratio): an award passed by the Arbitrator could only be interfered with in proceedings initiated under Section 34 of the Act, and not by filing a writ petition, so the writ petition seeking restoration of dealership was not maintainable; it was the petitioner, not the Corporation, who was aggrieved by the award, there being no plausible reason for the Corporation to challenge it; the impugned judgment does not pass the test of legality and is set aside; appeal allowed; pending applications disposed of. Counsel: Ashish Kapoor for the appellants; Sumeet Mahajan, Senior Advocate, with Sakshan Mahajan for respondent No.1. Precedent cited in counsel's submissions: Indian Oil Corporation Limited v. Amritsar Gas Service and others, (1991) 1 SCC 533 (referred); Section 14(1)(C) of the Specific Relief Act, 1963 also invoked in argument.
