Holding

A condition precedent requiring a decision by the Superintending Engineer is deemed waived when the State, responsible for its non‑compliance, later consents to arbitration; thus the arbitration proceedings are valid, a non‑speaking award is enforceable, pre‑reference interest is barred, and post‑reference interest may be awarded.

Summary

The contractors M.K. Shah Engineers and Chabaldas & Sons were engaged by the State of Madhya Pradesh to construct the Barna Main Dam. Their contracts contained an arbitration clause requiring a prior decision by the Superintending Engineer (SE) and a 28‑day notice to challenge it before arbitration could be invoked. The SE delayed and delegated decisions, prompting the contractors to seek arbitration. The State objected, filing a Section 33 petition alleging non‑compliance with the clause, but later consented to the appointment of arbitrators and did not pursue the objection. The trial court and High Court set aside the non‑speaking awards and the interest awarded for the pre‑reference period, holding the arbitration clause was not triggered. The Supreme Court held that the State’s conduct amounted to a waiver of the condition precedent, making the arbitration proceedings maintainable; a lump‑sum (non‑speaking) award is valid, interest for the pre‑reference period is barred under the Interest Act, but interest for the post‑reference (pendente lite) period may be awarded. Consequently, the appeals were allowed, the lower courts’ judgments set aside, and the awards confirmed with the modification that pre‑reference interest be excluded.

Issues considered

The preliminary objection under Section 33 of the Arbitration Act is maintainable when the party raising it is responsible for frustrating the condition precedent of a decision by the Superintending Engineer.
Whether the condition precedent requiring a decision by the Superintending Engineer can be deemed waived by the conduct of the State.
Whether a non‑speaking (lump‑sum) arbitration award is valid.
Whether interest can be awarded for the period before the arbitration reference in the absence of statutory or contractual authority.
Whether an arbitrator may award interest pendente lite and the prospective effect of such award.

Legislation cited

Arbitration Act, 1940s. 16, s. 30, s. 33, s. 8(2)
Code of Civil Procedure, 1908s. 34

Subjects

ArbitrationCondition precedentWaiverNon‑speaking awardInterest pendente liteSection 33 Arbitration ActConstruction contractsSuperintending Engineer

Judgment

# , MIS. M.K. SHAH ENGINEERS AND CONTRACTORS A
___..
"f
v.
STATE OF MADHYA PRADESH

FEBRUARY 5, 1999

.. Ji"
[SUJATA V. MANOHAR AND R.C. LAHOTI, JJ.] B

Arbitration Act 1940 :

Section 33-Arbitration clause in agreement prescribing decision by
Superintending Engineer on dispute between parties as condition prece-
dent-Dispute arising between the parties-Reference of dispute to ar-
c
bitrato,..-f'reliminary objection by one party regarding maintainability of
arbitration proceedings as condition precedent for invoking arbitration clause
not satisfied-Party raising preliminary objection responsible for fmstration of
condition precedent prescribed in arbitration clause-Held, preliminary objec-
tion not maintainable as no one can be pennitted to take advantage of one's D
own wrong and it shall be deemed that the condition precedent was waived
by the party at fault by its conduct.

Sections 16, Jo-Non-speaking award-Objections filed-Held, it is not
necessary that award should be a speaking award.
E
Interest Act, 183~S.13-Award of Interest-Pre-reference period-
Held, interest cannot be awarded in the absence of statute, contract, usage or
custom-Post-reference period-Held, arbitrator can award interest pendente
lite-Such award of interest pendente lite can be upheld in proceedings
pending on 12.12.1991.
f
... F
The appellants in the two appeals were the contractors entrusted by
the respondent-State with the construction of blocks in the Barna Main
Dam across River Barna, a tributary of Narmada near Bhopal. The
contract between the parties contained an arbitration clause which
provided that all disputes were required to be referred for the decision of G
... the Superintending Engineer of the Circle whose decision was agreed by
"' the parties to be treated as final and if any party was aggrieved by such
final decision, then it could demand a reference of disputes to arbitrator.
The appellants could not complete the work assigned to them and disputes
arose between them and the respondent-State. The contracts were ter- H
419
420 SUPREME COURT REPORTS (1999] 1 S.C.R.
A . minated in between and the respondent-State ge>t the remaining parts of
.....
the work executed through other agencies. Both the contractors raised
disputes before the Superintending Engineer.

In the first appeal, the Superintending Engineer kept the disputes
B pending for a. long tiJiie and referred all the disputes raised by the
appellant-contractor to a sub-committee consisting of highly placed offi-
~
..
cials of the State Government. The contractor addressed a communication
to the Chief Secretary and other concerned authorities lodging a strong
protest against the action of the Superintending Engineer for having
delegated his function to the sub-committee and demanded the appoint-
c ment of an arbitrator as per the arbitration clause for referring the
disputes raised by the appellant for his decision as the Superintending
Engineer had rendered himself incapable of taking decision under the
contract. A list of disputes raised by the appellant was annexed with the
letter. The State Government yielded to the demand of the appellant and
D appointed a sole arbitrator for deciding the dispute between the parties.
The arbitrator entered upon the reference. The respondent-State appeared
before the arbitrator but raised a preliminary objection to the legality of
the arbitration on the ground that it was not in accordance with the
arbitration clause and the claims put forth by the appellant were not
E arbitrable in as much as they were not preceded by a decision of the
Superintending Engineer in accordance with the arbitration clause.

The respondent-State filed an application under S. 33 of the Arbitra-
tion Act before the Additional District Judge, Bhopal seeking an adjudica-
F ti on on the preliminary objection raised by them before the arbitrator. ,,__ '
During the pendency of the application, the arbitrator expired. The resp on-
dent-State got the petition under S. 33 of the Act dismissed as having been
rendered infructuous. The appellant served a notice on the respondent for
filling up the vacancy in the office of arbitrator. When the respondent
G failed to comply with the notice, the appellant filed a petition under S. 8(2)
of the Act before the Additional District Judge, Bhopat The Court allowed ,. '·
the petition and appointed an arbitrator for deciding the disputes referred
to the previous arbitrator. The arbitrator made a non-speaking award in
favour of the appellant-contractor. In the other appeal also, the facts are
H almost similar.
421
.. M.K. SHAH ENGNN. AND CONlRACTORS v. STATE

- f
The appellant-State preferred Objections under Ss. 16 and 30 of the A
Arbitration Act before the trial Court against the awards passed by the
arbitrators in favour of the two appellants. The trial Court allowed the
objections by setting aside the awards and remitted them back for decision
afresh by the arbitrator. The appellants preferred revision against the
order of the trial Court in the High Court. The High Court dismissed the
revision petitions and maintained the orders passed by the trial Court•
B
• Both the trial Court and the High Court have held that (1) the Superin·
tending Engineer having not given any decision, the applicability of the
arbitration clause was not attracted and therefore the demand for refer-
ence to arbitration, the reference and the proceedings of arbitration held
subsequent thereto were all incompetent and void, (ii) the award being a c
non-speaking one, it was not possible to find out as to how much part
thereof was vitiated for non-compliance with the arbitration clause and the
valid invalid parts being inseparable, the entire award was liable to be set
aside, and (iii) there being no contract, usage or custom sustaining the
award of interest by the arbitrator, the award to the extent to which it
D
allows interest for pre-reference period was also liable to be set-aside.

Against the Judgment of the High Court the appellants have ap-
pealed to this Court. The contentions of the appellants were that (i) the
approach adopted by the trial Court and High Court was basically wrong,
and (ii) the respondent-State had submitted to arbitration and thereby E
acquiesced in the arbitration proceedings and hence should not have been
heard raising objection to the maintainability of the reference to arbitra·
ti on.

The contentions of the respondent-State were that (i) decision by the
Superintending Engineer was a condition precedent for the initiation of F
- ~
the arbitration proceedings and the Superintending Engineer having not
given any decision, the applicability of the arbitration clause was not
attracted and the arbitration proceedings were therefore incompetent and
void, and (ii) the appellants having voluntarily entered into the agreement
are bound by the terms of the arbitration clause therein. G
.... 4'- Partly allowing the appeals, the Court

HELD : 1. It is well-settled that an arbitration award is not vitiated
merely because the arbitrator has not given item· wise award and has
chosen to give a lump-sum award. A lump-sum award is not a bad award. H
422 SUPREME COURT REPORTS (1999] 1 S.C.R.
...
A So also it is well-settled that an award need not formal!:; apress the
decision of the arbitrator on each matter of difference nor is it necessary
" ,.
for the award to be a speaking one. It will be presumed that the award
disposes of finally all the matters in difference. [431-G]

State of Rajasthan v. M/s. R.S. Sharma and Co., [1988) 4 SCC 353;
B State of Orissa & Ors. v. Mis. Lal Brothers, AIR (1988) SC 2018; Firm
Madanlal Roshallal Mahajan v. Hukumchand Mills Ltd., Indore, AIR (1967)
SC 1030; Smt. Santa Sila Devi & Anr. v. Dhirendra Nath Sen and Ors., AIR
..
(1963) SC 1677, relied on.

2.1. The arbitration agreement may contain a clause which requires
c a certain act to be complied within a specified period and which provides
that if that act is not done either the claim or the ability to commence an
arbitration will be barred. Such clauses are sometimes known as "Atlantic
Shipping" clauses. The consequences of the expiry of a contractual limita-
tion period before the completion of the specific act may however be
D avoided in three circumstances : (i) if the Court exercises its discretion
statutorily conferred on it, to extend the period to avoid undue hardship;
(ii) if the arbitration clause confers a discretion on the arbitration to
extend the period and he exercises it; (iii) if the conduct of either party
precludes his relying on the time bar against the claimant. [433-G-H]
E Hudson on Building and Engineering Contracts (Tenth Edition pages
437-438, 470-71, 504, 853-855; Russel's Arbitration (Twentieth Edition at
page 324) and Halsbury's Laws of England (Fourth Edition) Volume 2
pages 363-365, referred to.

F 2.2. No one can be permitted to take advantage of one's own wrong.
The respondent-State cannot and could not have been heard to plead ~ ....
denial of the two appellants' right to seek reference to arbitration for
non-compliance with the earlier part of the arbitration clause. The plea of
bar, if any, created by the earlier part of arbitration clause cannot be
permitted to be set up by a party which itself has been responsible for
G frustrating the operation thereof. It will be travesty of justice if the
appellants for the fault of the respondents are denied right to have
.....
recourse to the remedy of arbitration. A closer scrutiny of the arbitration
clause clearly suggests that the parties intended to enter into an arbitra-
tion agreement for deciding all questions and disputes between them
H through arbitration and thereby excluding the jurisdiction of ordinary civil
M.K SHAH ENGNN. A1;!D CONTRACTORS v. STATE 423

Courts. Such reference to arbitration is required to be preceded by a A
decision of the Superintending Engineer and a challenge to such decision
within 28 days by the party feeling aggrieved therewith. The steps preceding
the coming into operation of the arbitration clause though essential are
capable of being waived and if one party has by its own conduct or the
conduct of its officials disabled such preceding steps being taken, it will

- be deemed that the procedural pre-requisites were waived. The party at
fault cannot be permitted to set up the bar of non-performance of pre-req-
uisite obligation so as to exclude the applicability and operation of the ·
B

arbitration clause. [435-D-H]

3. The subsequent conduct of the respondents in voluntarily agreeing C
to the appointment of the arbitrators in both the cases and not pursuing
their objections under Section 33 of the Arbitration Act amounts to waiver
on their part of the plea of non-compliance with the earlier part of the
arbitration clause, if only there was such non-compliance. The respondent·
State has acquiesced in the appointment of arbitrators and the proceed·
ings for settlement of disputes by arbitration. The respondent cannot be D
permitted to turn around and plead invalidity or non-maintainability of
arbitration proceedings by reference to the arbitration clause. [436-8-C]

4. The reference in the cases at hand was made before August 19,
1981 when the Interest Act of 1839 was in force. Interest could not have E
been awarded in the absence of statute, contract, usage or custom. There·
fore, the interest for the pre-reference period was liable to be set aside and
has been rightly set aside by the trial Court. [436-E-F]

State of Orissa v. B.N. Agarwala, [1997] 2 SCC 469, followed :
F
5. The Arbitrator can award interest for the period for which the
reference was pending before the arbitrator i.e., the post-reference period.
Such an award can be made rule of Court in proceedings pending on
12.U.1991 in view of Abadhuta Jena's case having been prospectively
overruled by G.C. Roy's case decided on 12.12.1991. [437-A-B]
G
Abadhuta Jena's [1988] 1 SCR 253, referred to.

Secretary (Irrigation Department) Government of Orissa & Ors. v. G.C.
Roy, AIR (1992) SC 732; Hindu Constmction Company Ltd. v. State of J &
K, AIR (1992) SC 2192, followed. H
424 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [1999] 1 S.C.R.

A 6. The trial Court and the High Court were not justified in setting .. "
aside the awards and remitting them back for decision afresh by the
arbitrator on the ground of non- compliance with the earlier part of
arbitration clause. The award except to the extent to which it allows
interest, was not liable to be interfered with by the Court. [436-D]

B CIVIL APPELLATE JURISDICTION: Civil Appeal No. 5961 of
1983 Etc. ..
From the Judgment and Order dated 11.9.81 of the Madhya Pradesh
High Court in C.R.A. No. 963 of 1979.

c M.K. Shah for (Party-in-person), A.K. Chitale, (Sakesh Kumar) for
S.K. Agnohotri for the Respondents in C.A. No. 5961-62/83.

G.L. Sanghvi, (Aseem Mehrotra) for S.K. Gambhir for the Appellant
in C.A. No. 5962/83.

D The Judgment of the Court was delivered by

R.C. LAHOTI, J. These two civil appeals have been preferred by two
contractors feeling aggrieved by the orders of trial court upholding the
objections preferred by the respondent-State under Sections 16 and 30 of
the Arbitration Act, 1940 and setting aside the awards given by the Ar-
E
bitrator which orders have been maintained in revision by the High Court
of Madhya Pradesh. The facts of the two cases are similar and the ques-
tions of law arising for decision are common. The two appeals have been
heard analogously and are being disposed of by this common order.

F 2. The disputes relating to the two contracts are referable to con-
struction of Barna Main Dam across River Barna, a tributary of Narmada ""1 ....
near Bhopal. The entire work was divided into five groups namely 1 to 5.
The main dam came under groups 1 and 2 consisting of blocks 1 to 23.
Contract for construction of group No. 1 consisting of block numbers 1 to
10 was given to M/s. M.K. Shah, Engineers and Contractors, the appellant
G in Civil Appeal No. 5961 of 1983. Contract for construction of group No.
2 consisting of block numbers 11 to 23 was entered into with M/s. Chabal-
'
das & Sons, Contractors. It appears that both the contractors could not '
complete the work assigned to them and disputes arose between them and
the respondent-State. The contracts were terminated in between and the
H remaining parts of the work were got executed through other agencies.
-'-I
'

M.K SHAH ENGNN. AND CONTRACTORS"· SfATE [RC. LAHOTI, J.] 425
,.. f
3. The contracts entered into with the two contractors by the respon- A
dent-State of MP have an arbitration clause around which centers the
controversy arising for decision in the two appeals. The same is extracted .
and reproduced hereunder.

"3.3.29: DECISION OF SUPERINTENDING ENGINEER TO
BE FINAL EXCEPT WHERE OTHERWISE SPECIFIED IN THE B
CONTRACT'

"The decision of the Superintending Engineer of the Circle for
the time being in respect of all questions and disputes relating to
the meaning of the specifications designs drawing and, instructions C
here-in-before mentioned and as to the quality of workman ship
or material used on the work or as to any other question, claim,
right, matter or thing whatsoever in any way arising out of or
relating to the contract, designs, drawings, specifications estimates,
instructions orders or those conditions or otherwise concerning the

.. work of execution or failure to execute the same, whether arising D
during the pr.ogress of the work or after the completion or aban-
donment thereof, shall be final.

Provided that if any party to the contract is dissatisfied with
the final decision of the Superintending Engineer, in respect of any
matter, he may, within 28 days after receiving the notice of such
E
decision give notice in writing to the Superintending Engineer,
requiring that the matter may be referred to arbitrator and fur-
nishing detailed particulars of the dispute or difference and
specifying clearly the point at issue, if any party fails to give such

- ~
notice within 28 days as stipulated above, the decision of the
Superintending Engineer, already given shall be conclusive, final
and binding on the parties.
F

In case an arbitration is to be held it shall be effected by an
arbitrator to be appointed by the State Government out of panel
of three names suggested by the State Government to the contrac- G

- tor, who shall give concurrence within a period of one month from
the date of the communication. In case the contractor does not
communicate the concurrence, the State Government shall appoint
an arbitrator whose. decision shall be conclusive final and binding
oo~~~ H
426 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [1999] 1 S.C.R.

A If the work under the contract has not been completed when
a dispute is referred to arbitrator work shall continue during the
arbitration proceedings if it iS reasonably possible and no payment
due to contractor should be withheld on account of arbitration
~
proceedings unless it is required by the arbitrator."

B
4. Hereafter the facts of the two cases have a little different narration
and hence are stated separately.

5. CA. No. 5961/83: M/s. M.K. Shah stated the disputes and referred
them to the Superintending Engineer, Barna Project Circle, Bari from time
C to time for his final decision. The Superintending Engineer kept the
disputes pending for a long time and observed silence for over a year
without having intimated his decision to the contractor. It appears that the
Superintending Engineer referred all the disputes raised by the Contractor
to a sub-committee membered by highly placed officials of the State
D Government. Making a note of all such facts the contractor on 27.10.1972
addressed a communication to the Chief Secretary, the Secretary to
Government (Irrigation Department), the Engineer~in- Chief, the Superin-
tending Engineer, and the Secretary Central Board Major Project lodging
a strong protest to the action of the Superintending Engineer having
delegated his function of taking decision in terms of the contract to the
E sub-committee. He submitted that the Superintending Engineer had there-
by rendered himself incapable of taking the decision under the contract
and therefore it was necessary to appoint an arbitrator and refer the
disputes raised by the contractor for his decision. A list of disputes raised
by the contractor was annexed with the letter with a request to take steps
p in the direction of appointment of an arbitrator.

(5.1.) On 11.1.74 the Deputy Secretary to Government of MP (Irriga-
tion Department) acting 'by order and in the name of Governor of Madhya
Pradesh' appointed Shri W.V. Oak, Chairman M.P. Electricity Board
J abalpur as the sole arbitrator for deciding the disputes between M/s. M.K.
G Shah Engineers and Contractors and the Government of Madhya Pradesh.
The opening sentence of the letter states that the State Government in
consultation with M/s. M.K. Shah Engineers and Contractors were pleased
-
...
to appoint Shri W.V. Oak as the sole arbitrators as per clause 3.3.29 of the
contract document for the arbitration of the disputes between the contrac-
H tors and the Government in respect of the work awarded to M/s. M.K.
M.K. SHAH ENGNN. AND CONTRACTORS v. STATE [RC. LAHOTI, J.] 427

Shah vide the contract in question. The language of the letter clearly A
suggests that the Government of Madhya Pradesh having deliberated over
the issue, was agreeable to arbitration and that was with the consent of the
contractor.

(5.2.) Shri W.V. Oak, the arbitrator entered upon the reference. The
Government of Madhya Pradesh appeared before the arbitrator but raised B
·- a preliminary objection to the legality of the arbitration by submitting that
it was not in accordance with the arbitration clause and the claims put forth
by the contractor-were not arbitrable inasmuch as they were not preceded
by a decision by the Superintending Engineer in accordance with clause
3.3.29. The arbitrator adjourned the arbitration proceedings affording the C
State of Madhya Pradesh an opportunity of seeking appropriate directions
from the Court.

(5.3.) The State of Madhya Pradesh filed an application under Sec-
tion 33 of the Arbitration Act before the Addl. District Judge, Bhopal D
seeking an adjudiption that the items of claim put forth by the contractor
before the arbitra~or were beyond the scope of the arbitration clause and
a declaration to th~t effect was sought for and prayed.

(5.4.) During the pendency of the application, Shri W.V. Oak expired
on '26.6.75. The State of M.P. got the petition under Section 33 of the Act E
dismissed as having been rendered infructuous. The contractor then served
a notice on the State of Madhya Pradesh on 13.8.75 for filling up the
vacancy in the office of arbitrator. As the State of Madhya Pradesh failed
to comply, a petition under Section 8(2) of the Act was filed by the
petitioner before the Addl. District Judge, Bhopal. On being noticed, the p
State of Madhya Pradesh proposed a panel of thre.:: names. The court
- * allowed the petition and appointed Shri G.H. Sanghvi retired Chief En-
gineer (Irrigation Department) as an arbitrator for deciding the disputes
previously referred to late Shri W.V. Oak. The order of the Court dated
25.11.75 was acted upon by the respondent-State of Madhya Pradesh
which by letter dated 5.5.77/19.5.77, issued by Deputy Secretary to Govern- G
ment (Irrigation Department) 'by order and in the name of Governor of
Madhya Pradesh' appointed Shri C.M. Sanghvi as sole arbitrator to decide
the disputes. The letter opens with a statement that the State Government
were pleased to accord sanction in the case in which Shri C.H. Sanghvi had
been appointed as an arbitrator to decide the disputes between M/s. M.K H
428 SUPREME COURT REPORTS (1999] 1 S.C.R.
A Shah and the Government of Madhya Pradesh.
(5.5.) The arbitrator Shri Sanghvi concluded the arbitration proceed-
ings and made an award on 26.9.78. The award is a non- speaking one. The
contractor had put forth claims aggregating to over Rs. 62 lacs while the
respondent-State of MP had raised a debit against the contractor of over
B Rs. 28 lacs. There were also counter claims made by the respondent-State
of M.P. on account of loss of revenue and interest on capital which was
locked-up in incomplete works.

(5.6.) The operative part of the award reads as under :
c "I make and state the award as below :-

The respondents, the State of Madhya Pradesh, will pay the
claimants, M./s. M.K. Shah, the following :

(a) Rs. 15,09,131 (Rupees fifteen lakhs, nme
D thousand, one hundred and thir-
ty one only) in full settlement of
claims, counter claims, debit
and credits on both the sides;

(b) Amount to be calculated Simple interest @ 8% calcu-
E
lated (Eight percent) per
annum on the amount of item
(a) above from 9.3.73 (ninth
March nineteen seventy three)
to the date of Court decree or
F date of payment whichever be
earlier.

(c)'Rs. 5,28,752 Being security deposit of the
(Rupees five lakhs, claimants, lying with the respon-
twenty eight thousand, dents (Rs. 5,28,700 in Rs. 52
G seven hundred fifty two) cash) The bonds or pro-notes
returned to the claimants will be released duly re-en-
dorsed in· favour of the
claimants, as necessary.

H The parties will bear their own costs."
M.K SHAH ENGNN. AND CONIRACTOR5 v. SfATE [RC. LAHOTI, J.] 429

6. CA. 5962/83 : M/s. Chabaldas and Sons had also raised disputes A.
-> f on 23rd June, 1971 before the Superintending Engineer. The claims were
rejected by the Executive Engineer, Barna project on 26.7.71. The com-
munication made by him to the contractor clearly states that the com-
munication was under the directions of the Superintending Engineer,
Barna project. On 7.8.71 the contractor raised several disputes annexing a
statement thereof with his letter and seeking reference of the disputes for
B
" adjudication by arbitration as per clause 3.3.29 of the agreement. There
..i. were certain talks for amicable settlement which turned out to be fruitless .
The respondent-State of Madhya Pradesh having failed to appoint an
arbitrator, the petitioner moved an application under Section 20 of the Act
before the Additional District Judge, Bhopal. On 28.11.1973, the Deputy c
Secretary of Government of Madhya Pradesh (Irrigation Department) sent
a communication to the petitioner informing that the State Government in
consultation with the contractor were pleased to appoint Shri K.L. Pandey,
a retired judge of Madhya Pradesh as the sole arbitrator for the arbitration
of the disputes between the contractor and the Government of Madhya
D
Pradesh in respect of the works covered by the contract entered into
between the two. The Communication is 'by order and in the name of the
Governor of Madhya Pradesh'.

(6.1.) Shri K.L. Pandey entered upon the reference. Before him also E
a preliminary objection to the maintainability of the arbitration proceeding
was taken up submitting that the same was not preceded by Superintending
Engineer's decision under clause 3.3.29 whereafter only and within 28 days
the arbitration could have been demanded. A petition under Section 33 of
the Arbitration Act was filed before the court seeking determination of the
effect of arbitration clause and inviting adjudication by the court on the F
plea of the State of Madhya Pradesh that the disputes raised by the
,.... +-
contractor were not arbitrable in view of the arbitration clause.

(6.2.) During the pendency of the abovesaid petition, Shri K.L.
Pandey expired. The contractor M/s. Chabaldas & Sons made a demand G
..., for filling up the vacancy. The Government of Madhya Pradesh acceded
with the request and on 26.11.77 appointed Shri C.H. Sanghvi, a sole
k
arbitrator in place of Shri K.L. Pandey. This letter is also signed by Deputy
Secretary of Government of Madhya Pradesh, (Irrigation Department) 'by
order and in the name of the Governor of Madhya Pradesh'. H
) -
430 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [1999] 1 S.C.R.

A {6.3.) The contractor had put forth claims exceeding Rs. 70 lacs
while the respondent-State had raised a debi~ of over Rs. 50 lacs against ~
.
the contractor and had also preferred counter-claims. The award dated
26.9.1978 is a non-speaking award, operative part whereof reads as
under:

B "I make and state the award as below :

The respondents, the State of Madhya Pradesh, will pay the )..
""
claimants, M/s. Chabaldas and Sons, the following :

(a) Rs. 13,50,342 in full settlement of claims,
c {Rupees Thirteen counter claims, debits and
· Lakhs, fifty thousand, credits on both the sides.
three hundred and
forty two only)

{b) Amount to be calculated. Simple interest at 8% (eight
D percent) per annum on the
amount of item (a) above from
~
9.3.73 (Ninth March Nineteen
Seventy three) to the date of
Court decree or date of pay-
E ment, whichever be earlier.

(c) Security deposit of to be released to the claimants
Rs. 5,15,500 (Five lakhs, by the respondents in a manner
fifteen thousand and to relieve the claimants from the
five hundred only) in guarantees.
F the form of Bank
Guarantees. "i ~.

(d) The parties will bear their own costs."

G
7. A R4fusal of the orders of the trial court, as maintained by the
High Court, goes to show that the two were of the opinion that the
.
,_
questions and the disputes falling within the scope of Clause 3.3.29 were <'•
required to be referred for the decision of the Superintending Engineer of
-A>
the Circle whose decision was agreed by the parties to be treated as final.
If any of the parties was aggrieved by such final decision of the Superin-
H · tending Engineer, then, within a period of 28 days from the date of receipt
M.K. SHAH ENGNN. AND CONfRACTORS v. STATE [R.C. LAHOTI, J.] . 431

i of the decision of the Superintending Engineer the party must serve a A
notice in writing to the Superintending Engineer setting out particulars of
the dispute or difference and clearly specifying the points at issue demand-
ing a reference to arbitrator. Failure to lay challenge to the decision of the
"'" Superintending Engineer by notice served within 28 days results in attach-
ing a finality and conclusiveness to the decision of the Superintending
Engineer. Both have formed an opinion that the Superintending Engineer
B
~
having given no decisicn, the applicability of the arbitration clause was not
"" attracted and therefore the demand for reference to arbitration, the refer-
ence and the proceeding&, of arbitration held subsequent thereto were all
incompetent and void. They have also formed an opinion that the award
being a non-speaking one, it was not possible to find out as to how much c
part thereof was vitiated for non-compliance with clause 3.3.29 and the
valid and invalid parts being inseparable, the entire award was liable to be
set aside"followed by remitting the reference back to the arbitrator. It has
also been held that there being no contract, usage or custom sustaining the
award of interest by the arbitrator, the award to the extent to which it
D
allows interest for pre-reference period was also liable to be set aside.

8: Shri G.L. Sanghi, learned senior counsel for the appellant in C.A.
No. 5962 of 1983 and Shri M.K. Shah, the appellant in C.A. No. 5961 of
1983 appearing in person, have both attacked the legality of the orders of
the High Court and the trial court submitting that the approach adopted E
by the two courts was basically wrong. It was also submitted that the State
of M.P. had submitted to arbitration and thereby acquiesced in the arbitra-
tion proceedings and hence should not have been heard raising objection
to the maintainability of the reference to arbitration in the manner in which
it has been done.
F
..(
r
<
I 9. It is weU-s'ettled that an arbitration award is not vitiated merely
because the arbitrator has not given item-wise award and has chosen to
give a lumpsum award. A lumpsum award is not a bad award. So also it is
well-settled that an award need not formally express the decision of the
arbitrator on each matter of difference nor is it necessary for the award to G
. ..... be a speaking one. It will be presumed that the award disposes of finally
all the matters in difference (see - State of Rajasthan v. M/s. R.S. Shanna
and Co., (1988) 4 SCC 353, State of Orissa & Ors. v. Mis. Lall Brothers, AIR
{1988) SC 2018, Finn Madan/al Roshallal Mahajan v. Hukumchand Mills
Ltd., Indore, AIR (1967) SC 1030, Smt. Santa Sila Devi & Anr. v. Dhirendra H
432 SUPREME COURT REPORTS (1999) 1 S.C.R.
A· Nath Sen and Ors., AIR (1963) SC 1677. The principle issue for decision
is what is the effect· of absence of decision by the Superintending Engineer
proceeding the demand for reference and commencement of arbitration
proceedings.

10. The part of the clause in question is called a certification or
B finalityclause in legal terminology. Hudson on Building and Engineering
Contracts (Tenth Edition; at pp. 437"438) deals with the clause as under :

''Where, therefore, a· contract provides for some matter to be
dealt with by a certificate or approval, and by virtue of the prin~
c ciples discussed in Section 3, above, such certificate is final be-
twel!n the parties, the question still may arise whether an arbitrator
appointed under the contract is bound by any approval or certifi-
cate which may have been given or can, by his award, supply the
deficieny where the certifier has failed or refused to issue the
certificate to which either party claims to be entitled. In all such
D cases it is necessary to consider carefully the precise terms of the
certificate clause and the arbitration clause, and to decide whether
on its true construction the latter was iii.tended to confer the
necessary power to override the certifier upon the arbitrator".

"...... once the courts are satisfied that an arbitrator has juris-
E
. diction to go into a matter, they will not, in the absence of a clearly
expressed intention, allow his findings to be emasculated by any
failure of the parties specifically. to make the necessary procedural
provisions to enable him to give substantive effect to his decision,
or by formal difficulties created by the specific provisions of the
F contract relating to the original certifier's decisions".

(10,1) At pp. 470-471; Hudson, while sulllinlU"ising the discussion on
approval and certificates states that an unreasonable refusal by the certifier ·
to give his cansideratioil. to the matter upon which he is required to certify,
G constitutes a classification of cases by itself. In our opirlion, such class of
. cases would not exclude judicial determination of the disputes by the
arbitrator or the court, as the case may be.

, (10.2) At pp. 504, 853-855, Hudson has dealt with Scott v. Avery type
of arbitration clause, according to which the certificate of an architect or
H valuer is a condition precedent of the contractor's right of action. The
M.K SHAH ENGNN. AND CONTRACTORS v. STATE [RC. LAHOTI, J.] 433
.> ~ courts will give effect to the condition unless (i) the condition· has been A
_, · waived, or (ii) the party seeking to set it up has somehow disentitled himself
from doing .so.

11. Russel opines in Arbitration (Twentieth Edition, at page 324) :-

"Where certificate is a condition precedent - B
.-.
..(
In arbitrations under building and like contracts, the issue of
an architect's or engineer's certificate is often made a condition
precedent to a contractor's right to payment for work done by him.
If in such a case there is a general reference of a dispute arising
out of a refusal to issue a certificate, and the arbitrator determines
c
that a certificate ought to have been. given, he will normally have
power to order payment for the amount for which the certificate
should have been given".

12. We find ourselves in entire agreement with the law so stated by D
Hudson and Russ¢11.

13. It was submitted by Dr. Ashok Chitale, learned senior counsel
appearing for the resporidentcState of M.P. that the appellant- contractors
are bound by the terms of the clause 3.3.29 voluntarily _entered into by
them. A decision by the Superintending Engineer is a condition precedent E
of the initiation of the arbitration proceedings for it is .the decision of the
Superintending Engineer which alone will be the subject- matter of chal~
Ienge before the arbitrator and that too if raised within a period of 28 days,
the contractual time bar, calculated from the date of decision by the
Superintending Engineer, we find it difficult to agree. F
14. In Halsbury's Laws of England (Fourth Edition) Volume 2, vide
paras 652, 654, at pp. 363, 365 the law is so stated. The arbitration
agreements may contain a clause which requires a certain act to be com-
pleted within a specified period and which provides that if that act is not
done either the claim or the ability to commence an _arbitration Will be G
._ barred. Such clauses are sometimes known. a& 'Atlantic Shipping' clauses.
... The consequences of the expiry of a contractual limitation period before
, the completion of the specific act may however be avoided in three
circumstances : (i) if the Court exercises its discretion statutorily conferred
on it, to extend the period to avoid undue hardship; (ii) if the arbitration H
434 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [1999] 1 S.C.R.
~
A clause confers a discretion on the arbitrator to extend the period and he ~

exercises it; (iii) if the conduct of the either party precludes his relying on
the time bar against the claimant.

15. In C.A. No. 5961/83, the case of M/s. M.K. Shah the disputes were
raised and stated by the contractor to the Superintending Engineer calling
B for latter's decision. However, the Superintending Engineer instead of ,.
taking a decision by himself, referred the disputes to a sub-committee. ...
There may be nothing wrong in the Superintending Engineer having chosen
to solicit the opinion of a sub-committee membered by highly placed
officials of the State Government for his own advantage and thereafter
c taking a decision by himself. The nature of function performed by the
Superintending Engineer under the first part of clause 3.3.29 is not judicial.
However, the fact remains that the Superintending Engineer unreasonably
delayed the decision and in spite of persuasion and protests by the con-
tractor, did not promptly take and communicate his decision on the dis-
putes. The State Government ultimately yielded to the demand of the
D contractor by appointing an arbitrator. Once the arbitrator commenced
the arbitration proceedings, the State of M.P. gave a second thought and
receded its steps by choosing to raise an objection to the maintainability
of the arbitration. The arbitrator allowed time to the Government of
Madhya Pradesh for securing a judicial pronouncement on its objection
E under section 33 of the Act. The State of M.P. initiated proceedings under
Section 33 of the Act, but did not pursue the same. Rather it agreed to the
appointment ·of a new arbitrator in place of the previous one.

16. In C.A. No. 5962/83, in the case of M/s. Chabaldas & Sons also,
F the situation is more or less similar. The appellants had stated the disputes
demanding decision by the Superintending Engineer. The letter dated
26.7.1971 by the Executive Engineer, Barna Dam Division conveyed to the
appellants that it was the decision of the Superintending Engineer to not
to accept the claim preferred by the appellants. On 7.8.1971 the appellants
addressed a letter to the Superintending Engineer clearly stating that the
G appellants were not satisfied "with your final decision'', i.e., the decision by
th.e Superintending Engineer. The Superintending Engineer never stated
that the decision conveyed to the appellants rejecting their claims was not •
a decision by the Superintending Engineer. In either case the position does
not improve for the respondent. If the claim was rejected by the Superin-
H tending Engineer as communicated by the Executive Engineer in his letter
!

M.K SHAH ENGNN. AND CONfRACTORS v. SfATE [RC. LAHOTI, J.] 435

~
~ dated 26.7.1971, the appellants were fully justified, and had also acted A
... within time, in demanding reference to arbitration by their letter dated
7.8.1971. It the decision was by the Executive Engineer and not by the
Superintending Engineer, then the respondent-State cannot take shelter
behind clause 3.3.29 inasmuch as the respondent must thank itself for a
situation created by its own Superintending Engineer who instead of acting
B
himself consistently with clause 3.3.29 made-over the dispute to the Execu-
·-· .... tive Engineer for decision .

(16.1) In any case the appellant approached the Court for appoint-
ment of arbitrator under Section 20 of the Act. The State of M.P. yielded
to the appellants demand by voluntarily appointing an arbitrator. There c
also an objection to the maintainability of the arbitration proceedings was
taken up as a second thought and then given up followed by appointment
of a new arbitrator in place of the previous one.

17. No one can be permitted to take advantage of one's own wrong. D
The respondent-State of M.P. cannot and could not have been heard to
plead denial of the two appellant's right to seek reference to arbitration
for non-compliance with the earlier part of clause 3.3.29. In the case of
M/s. Chabaldas & Sons, the clause was complied with. Alternatively, even
if it was not complied with in the case of M/s. Chabaldas & Sons, but
certainly in the case of M/s. M.K. Shah, the fault for non-compliance lies E
with the respondent-State of M.P. through its officials. The plea of bar, if
any, created by the earlier part of Clause 3.3.29 cannot be permitted to be
set up by a party which itself has been responsible for frustrating the
operation thereof. It will be travesty of justice if the appellants for the fault
of the respondents are denied right to have recourse to the remedy of F
arbitration. A closer scrutiny of Clause 3.3.29 clearly suggests that the
parties intended to enter into an arbitration agreement for deciding all
questions and disputes arising between them through arbitrator and thery-
by excluding the jurisdiction of ordinary civil courts. Such reference to
arbitration is required to be preceded by a decision of the Superintending
Engineer and a challenge to such decision within 28 days by the party G
feeling aggrieved therewith. The steps preceding the corning into operation
_..,.., .JI of the arbitration clause though essential are capable of being waived and
if one party has by its own conduct or the conduct of its officials disabled
such preceding steps being taken, it will be deemed that the procedural
pre-requisites were waived. The party at fault cannot be permitted to set H
436 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [1999) 1 S.C.R.

A up the bar of non-performance of pre-requisite obligation so as to exclude .. ,.,.,
the applicability and operation of the arbitration clause. ...
18. The subsequent conduct of the respondent in voluntarily agreeing
to the appointment of the arbitrators in both the cases and not pursuing
their objections under Section 33 of the Arbitration Act amounts to waiver
B on their part of the plea of non-compliance with the earlier part of clause
3.3.29, if only there was such non-compliance . The respondent-State of .,...,
)>..
M.P. has acquiesced in the appointment of arbitrators and the proceedings
for settlement of disputes by arbitration. The respondent cannot be per-
mitted to tum around and plead invalidity or non-maintainability of arbitra-
c tion proceedings by reference to clause 33.29.

19. For the foregoing reasons,- we are of the opinion that the trial
court and the High Court were not justified in setting aside the awards and
remitting them back for decision afresh by the arbitrator on the ground of
non-compliance with the earlier part of clause 3.3.29. The award except to
D the extent to which it allows interest, was not liable to be interfered with
by the Court.

20. So far as the award of interest by the arbitrator is concerned, the
law had been settled by the decision of this Court in State of Orissa v. B.N.
Agarawala, (1997] 2 SCC 469. Admittedly, the reference in the cases at
E hand was made before August 19, 1981 when the Interest Act of 1839 was
in force. Interest could not have been awarded in the absence of statute,
contract, usage or custom. Therefore, the interest for the pre-reference
period was liable to be set aside and has been rightly set aside by the trial
court.
F
21. Now remains the question as to the award of interest for the
period for which the references were pending before the Arbitrator. In
Abadhuta Jena's case (1988] 1 SCR 253 (Three-Judges Bench) it was held
that the arbitrator to whom the reference is made without the intervention
of the court does not have jurisdiction to award interest pendente lite. The
G correctness of this view was assailed in Secretary (Irrigation Department)
Government of Orissa and Ors v. G.C. Roy, AIR (1992) SC 732 (Five-Judges
Bench). The view of the law taken in Abadhuta Jena's case on the power ,.
of the arbitrator to award interest for the period for which the reference
was pending before the arbitrator was over-ruled in G.C. Roy's case.
H However, their Lordships observed (vide para 47) - "even though we have
M.K. SHAH ENGNN. AND CONTRACTORS v. STATE [RC. LAHOTI, J.) . 437
~ held that the decision in Jena's case does not lay down good law, we would
i A
like to direct that our decision shall only be prospective in operation, which
·" means that this decision shall not entitle any party nor shall it empower
any court to re-open proeeedings which have already become finat In other
words, the law declared herein shall apply only to pending Proceedings".
G.C. Roy's case was decided on 12.12.91.
B
~ ...
/
, (21.1) Jena's case and G.C. Roy's case, both were considered by this
....
Court .in Hindu Constrnction Company Ltd. v. State of I & K, AIR (1992)
SC 2192. The arbitrator by his award dated 24.10.1972, had awarded
interest at the rate of 6% p.a. from the date of reference (6.12.68) to date
of payment or decree, whichever is earlier. By its judgment dated 28;8.92,
vide para 5, this court following the deciSion in G. C. Roy's case held that
c
the principle of Section 34 of the CPC which provides both for awarding
of interest pendente lite as well as for the post decree period is applicable
to proceedings before the arbitrator though the section as such may not
apply. The award of interest as made by the arbitrator was upheld by this
Court. D
(21.2.) In the cases at hand the awards have not been made rule of
the court so far and are being so made by this court today. The award of
interest pendente lite by the arbitrator deserves to be sustained.

22. Both the appeals are allowed. The Impugned Judgments of the E
High Court and the trial court ~ both are set aside in both the appeals. ·
Instead it is directed that both the awards dated 26.9.1978 shall be made
rule of the court subject to the modification that the contractor-claimants ·
shall not be entitled to interest up to the date of the. reference i.e. 11.l;74
in the case of M/s. M.K Shah, Engineers and Contractors and 28.11.73 in F
..,, the case of M/s. Chabaldas and Sons. Let the decrees be drawn according-
ly. Both the appeals stand disposed of. No order as to costs..

A.KT. Appeals partly allowed,