Holding

The arbitrator exceeded his jurisdiction and misconducted himself, so the award was set aside under Section 30(a) of the Arbitration Act, 1940.

Summary

The appellant, V.G. George, a mining contractor, entered into a contract with Indian Rare Earths Ltd. for the supply of raw sand. Disputes were referred to an arbitrator who awarded sums for obstruction by local parties and for a wage escalation, despite the contract assigning responsibility for landowner consent to the contractor and containing no escalation clause. The High Court set aside the award, holding it beyond the contract’s scope, except for a refund of earnest money. On appeal, the Supreme Court examined whether a non‑speaking award could be scrutinised and affirmed that an award includes the arbitrator’s findings, which are reviewable. It held that the arbitrator exceeded his jurisdiction and misconducted himself under Section 30(a) of the Arbitration Act, 1940, and therefore set aside the award in its entirety. The appeal was dismissed.

Issues considered

Can a non‑speaking arbitral award be examined by the court for jurisdictional excesses?
Did the arbitrator exceed his jurisdiction by awarding amounts beyond the scope of the contract (obstruction and escalation claims)?
Can an award be set aside under Section 30(a) of the Arbitration Act, 1940 on the ground of arbitrator misconduct?
Do the arbitrator’s findings on each issue form part of the award and are they reviewable by the court?

Legislation cited

Arbitration Act, 1940s. 17, s. 30(a)

Subjects

ArbitrationSection 30Non‑speaking awardJurisdictionMisconductContract scopeEscalation clauseAward set aside

Judgment

V.G.GEORGE A
v.
INDIAN RARE EARTHS LTD. AND ANR.

APRIL 8, 1999

[S. RAJENDRA BABU AND S.N. PHUKAN, JJ.] B

Arbitration Act, 1940 :

Section 30(a)-Misconduct by arbitrator-Award beyond the scope of
the agreement-Agreement provided that contractor would be responsible C
for negotiations with the land owner and local public whose land needed
to be used for mining-Arbitrator awarding a sum on account of claim of the
contractor for obstruction by the land owners and local public-Held, the
award clearly beyond the scope of the agreement-Arbitrator misconducted
with the proceedings and the High Court rightly set aside the award.
D
Section 30(a)-Escalation-There was no escalation clause in th.~~
agreement-Finding of the arbitrator that contractor was not pressurised to
agree to a 10% hike in the wages of the mining worker and on the other
hand he observed that the contractor acceded to a raise in the wages-Held,
the arbitrator exceeded the jurisdiction-Case of misconduct existed when E
the award is contrary to the findings of the arbitrator.

Award-Findings when part of the award-Where the award contains
not only the sum awarded but also the case of the parties, the issues framed
and findings on each issue-Held, the findings on the issue are part of award
and the court can look into the findin$s. p
Award-When can be set aside-The arbitrator derives its jurisdiclton
from the contract and if he exceeds his jurisdiction the award can be set
aside-In case of misconduct on the face of award, court can interfere-If the
arbitrator has given reason disclosing an error apparent on the face of it,
the award can be interfered G
The appellant-contractor entered into an agreement with Respondent
No. 1 for mining, collection and supply of raw sand at the average rate of
920 tonnes per day. Out of an agreed supply of 2,02,000 tonnes of raw-sand,
appellant supplied only 1,72,489.24 tonnes. The disputes between the parties
were referred to the arbitration of Respondent No. 2. H
531
532 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [1999] 2 S.C.R.

A Before the arbitrator the appellant made claims under 10 heads. One
. of the grievances of the appellant was that he suffered due to obstruction by
Kudikidappukars and the general public. However, Clause (c) of the tender
notice stipulated that the appellant would be responsib.Je for obtaining consent
of the landowners concerned and entering an agreement with them and that
B Respondent No. 1 would not be liable to compensate against any claim by the
landowners. The arbitrator gave a clear finding that the appellant was not
responsible for settling problems created by strangers like kudikidappukars
and the local public. However, a sum on this account was awarded by the
arbitrator~

c there was
The claim of escalation was also awarded by the arbitrator although
no escalation clause in the agreement On the other hand, arbitrator
recorded a finding that the contractor was not pressurised by Respondent
---
No. 1 to agree to a 10% hike in the wages of the mining worker and on the
other hand he observed that the contractor had acceded to a raise in the
wages.
D
The objections filed by Respondent No. 1 was dismissed and the award
was made rule of the court. On appeal, the High Court set aside the award
except for the finding that the appellant was entitled to refund of the earnest
money deposited by him. Hence this appeal by the contractor.

E It was contended by the appellant that the award was a non speaking
award and the High Court erred in law in going into the facts of the case.

Dismissing the appeal, this Court

HELD : 1.1. Law is well settled that if the award is non-speaking, court
F can look into the question as to whether arbitrator has travelled beyond the
scope of the contract as he derives his jurisdiction from the contract and if
the arbitrator exceeds his jurisdiction the award can be set aside . An award
can also be set aside in case of misconduct apparent on the face of the award.
It can also be interfered with if the arbitrator has given reasons for the
G award disclosing an error apparent on the face of it. [535-E-Ff

State of Orissa v. Mis. Lall Brothers, [1988) 4 SCC 15; State ofAndhra
Pradesh & Ors. v. R. V. Rayanim & Ors., (1990) 1 SCC 433 and Associated
Engineering Co. v. Government of Andhra Pradesh & Ors., relied on.

H t.2. An award contains not only the sum awarded but also the case of
_)

V.G. GEURGE v. INDIAN RARE EARTHS LTD. 533

the parties, issues framed, findings on each issue, and therefore, the findings A
r of the arbitrator on the issues are part of the award and the court can look
into the findings. (537-H]

2.1. Claim No. 3 deals with the obstructions and in this respect the
arbitrator has come to the finding that the entire mining area covered with
tender was made available to the appellant but mining was not possible for B
some days on account of obstructions by kudikidappukars and local public.
While awarding the amount the arbitrator did not take note of Clause (c) of
the tender notice which is a part of the agreement and under which the
respondent would not be liable for such obstruction. Therefore, the amount
awarded under Claim No. 3 is beyond the scope of the agreement entered into C
between the parties and, therefore, the awarded amount in respect of Claim
No. 3 cannot be sustained. [538-B-C]

2.2. Claim No. 9 is not in respect of escalation. It is not disputed that
there was no escalation clause in the agreement entered into between the
parties. The arbitrator has come to a clear finding that the appellant was D
pressurised by Respondent No. l to agree to 10% hike in the wages of the
mining workers as recorded in the findings. The amount awarded under
Claim No. 9 is not only beyond the scope of the agreement but also contrary
t!'.' the findings recorded by the arbitrator. [538-D-EJ

2.3. Therefore, the a.rbitrator has misconducted himself in the E
proceedings and, therefore, the award is liable to be set aside on the ground
of legal misconduct of the arbitrator under Section 30 of the Arbitration Act,
1940. [538-FJ

State ofAndhra Pradesh & Ors. v. R. V Rayanim & Ors., (1990) l SCC
433 and Associated Engineering Co. v. Government of Andhra Pradesh & p
Ors., relied on.

CIVIL APPELLATE JURISDICTION : Civil Appeal No. 4273 of
1989.

From the Judgment and Order dated 25.5.87 of the Kerala High Court G
in M.F.A. No. 161 and 781of1986.

T.L. Vishwanatha Iyer, Fazlin Anam and E.M.S. Anam for the Appellant.

G.B. Pai and Mrs. Meera Mathur for Mis. JBD & Co. for the Respondents.

The Judgment of the Court was delivered by H
534 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [1999] 2 S.C.R.

A S.N. PHUKAN, J. This appeal is directed against the common judgment
and order dated 25.05.1.987 passed in M~F.A. No. 161 of 1986 and 781 of 1986
by the High Court of Kerala.

For the purpose pf appreciating the points urged in this appeal we may
briefly state the facts'.
B
The appellant herein, who is a mmmg contnctor entered into an
agreement with respondent No. I namely Indian Rare Earths Ltd. for mining,
collection and supply of raw-sand during the period from l .6. l 979 to 31.5.1980.
It was agreed between the parties that appellant would supply 2,02,000 tonnes
of raw-sand at the average rate of 920 tonnes per day. The appellant failed
C to supply entire quantity and supplied only l,72,489.24 tonnes. The disputes
between the parties were referred to the arbitrator, who has been made a party
in the present appeal namely respondent No. 2.

Before the arbitrator the appellant claimed Rs. 24,02,272/under l 0 heads
along with interest. A counter claim was also filed by respondent No. I for
D Rs. 3,29,648.99 paise alongwith interest. The arbitrator framed as many as 51
issues and after recording his findings a sum of Rs. 5,40, l 9 l.l 0 paise with
interest@ l 5% per annum from l l .11.82 upto the, date of decree was awarded
in favour of the appellant. The awaru was made a rule of the Court on a
petition filed by the appellant under Section 17 of the Arbitration Act, l 940
E (for short the Act). The respondent No. I also _filed a petition under Section
30 of the Act which was dismissed.

Two appeals were filed before the High Court and the High Court by
the common impugned judgment and order held that there was legal misconduct
on the part of the arbitrator and accordingly set aside the award except the
F finding that the present appellant was entitled to refund of the earnest money
deposited. Hence the present appeal.

We have heard Mr. T.L. Vishwanatha Iyer, Sr. learned counsel for the
appellant and Mr. G.B. Pai, Sr. learned counsel for the respondents.

G Before we enter into the contentions raised in the case in hand, we may
refer to the decisions of this Court. The case in hand it has to be stated that
we are concerned with Clause(a) of Section 30 of the Arbitration Act which
empowers the Court to set aside an award on the ground that an arbitrator
or umpire has misconducted himself or the proceedings.

H In State o/Orissa and others v. Mis. Lall Brothers, [1988] 4 SCC 153
V.G. GEORGE v. INDIAN RARE EARTHS LTD. [S.N. PHUKAN, J.] 535.

this Court inter alia held that an award may be set aside on the ground of A
error on the face of it but an award is not invalid merely because by a process
of inference and argument it may be demonstrated that the arbitrator has
committed some mistake in arriving at his conclusion and it is also not open
to the Court to speculate, where no reasons are given by the arbitrator, as
to what impelled him to arrive at his conclusions.
B
In State of Andhra Pradesh and others v. R. V. Rayanim and others,
[ 1990] l SCC 433 it was held that in matter of challenging the award there are
often two distinct and different grounds-4>ne is an error apparent on the face
of the record and the other is that the arbitrator has exceeded his jurisdiction.
In the latter case the Court can look into the arbitration agreement but under C
the former it cannot.

In Associated Engineering Co. v. Government of Andhra Pradesh and
Another, [ 1991] 4 SCC 93 it was held that the arbitrator cannot act arbitrarily,
irrationally, capriciously or independently of the contract and his sole function
is to arbitrate in terms of the contract as his authority is derived from the D
contract. It was also held that if he has remained inside the parameters of the
contract and has construed the provisions of the contract, his award cannot
be interfered with unless he has given reasons for the award disclosing an
error apparent on the face of it.

Thus, law is well settled that if the award is non-speaking, the Court can E
look into the question as to whether arbitrator has travelled beyond the scope
of the contract as he derives his jurisdiction from the contract and if the
arbitrator exceeds his jurisdiction the award can be set aside. An award can
also be set aside in case of misconduct apparent on the face of the award.
It can also be interfered with if the arbitrator has given reasons for the award F
disclosing an error apparent on the face of it.

Coming to the present appeal we find that in the impugned award the
arbitrator has stated the case of the parties, issues framed by him, his findings
on each issue and the amount awarded. We may also state here that in the
counter affidavit dated 23rd May, 1983 filed by the present appellant before G
the learned sub-Judge it had been clearly stated that the contract is evidenced
by three integrated documents namely: (i) Tender dated 3.5.79 (ii) Work order
dated 15.5.79 and (iii) Agreement dated 24.3.79.

Out of claims under I 0 heads the arbitrator awarded amount under
claims nos. 3 & 9 of the appellant. Out of 51 issues framed by the arbitrator, H
536 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [1999] 2 S.C.R.

A issues nos. 15 to 18 were in respect Of claim no. 3 and issues nos. 31 to 3 7
were in respect of claim no. 9. We quote below issues nos. 15 to 18 in respect
of claim no. 3:

"15. Whether six acres alone out of the mining area covered by the
tender from were available for mining on account of .obstruction of
B kudikidappukars, ex-workers of Associated Minerals Co. Ltd. and
local public as alleged by claimant in paragraph 14 of State of claim?

16. Whether it was respondent's duty to see that the entire extent of
mining area detailed in the tender form was available for mining and
that the mining could be carried out without hindrance and respondent
c failed to discharge its duty?

Or

Whether it was claimant's responsibility to settle all problems and
objections which arose in the course of mining work?
D 17. Whether claimant suffered loss as mentioned in paragraph 14 of
the State of Claim?

18. Whether respondent is liable to make good the loss mentioned in
issue No. 17 and if so, to what extent?"

E In respect of the above issues the arbitrator has given his findings
which are as follows:-

"15-The allegation that six acres ofland alone out ofthe mining area
covered by the tender form was available for mining is not correct. In
243 acres of land covered by the tender form out of which 92 acres
F belonged to respondent, more than necessary area sufficient to mine
and supply the contract quantity of 2,00,000 to 2,20,000 MT of raw
sand was actually available for mining, but, on some days in April and
except on one day, during the whole month of May 1980, mining of
raw sand even in the available area and supply of raw sand from there
G were not possible, on some days partially and on other days wholly,
on account of obstruction by kudikidappukars and local public.

16-Claimant's right under the contract was purely personal, it did not
amount to an interest in the 243 acres of land covered by the contract
and he could not sue trangers in his own n~me in respect of that land,
H it was his responsibility to settle all problems and objections which
V.G. GEORGE v. INDIAN R~RE EARTHS LTD. [S.N. PHUKAN, J.] 537
arose in the course of the mining work betwec;:n him and his mining A
workers, but not with strangers like kudikidappukars and local public
who claimed either rights in the land or rights and privileges against
the respondent, and it was respondent's duty to see that the entire
extent of mining area detailed in the tender form was available for
mining and mining operations could be carried on there quety and
without hindrance, and whenever complaint regarding obstructfon B
was received respondent tried to discharge that duty by appealing to
public authorities for help, but without success.

17-18. Claimant sufferred loss to the extent of Rs. 2,81,461.26 and
respondent is liable ·to make good that loss."
c
The learned counsel for , the respondent has brought to our notice
Clause (c) of the tender notice which forms part of the contract between the
parties. Clause(c) of the tender notice is stated as follows:

"(c) - The beach and inland deposits mentioned· in Block Nos. 2,4 and D
6 may or may not be situated in Company's lands and hence it shall
be the responsibility o'f the Contractor to obtain the consent of .the
owners in whose registered holdings the beach or inland deposits
appear, before the Contractor begins to. collect the sea washings or
inland deposits as the case may be. As Indian Rare Earths Limited will ·
,n~t be responsible for the payment of any compensation to any E
individual on account of any claims resulting from such scrapping of
sea washings or removal of inland deposits, it shall again be the
responsibility of the Contractor to enter into agreements with the
owners of registered holdings whose lands the Contractor may be
required to utilise for the purpose of his successful execution of this
contract, and the Company will not in any manner be responsible or F
liable for all or any of the claims for compensation by the said land
owners."

It has been urged on behalf of the appellant that as the award is non-
speaking one the High Court erred in law in going into the facts of the case. G
On the other hand it has been urged on behalf of the respondents that the
present award cannot be said to be a non-speaking one as the findings of
the arbitrator on each issue form part of the award.

As stated above the award contains not only the sum awarded but also
the case of the parties, issues framed, findings on each issue, therefore, we H
538 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [1999] 2 S.C.R.

A hold that the findings of the arbitrator on the issues are the part of the award
and the court can look into the findings.

The arbitrator has come to the findings that the entire mining area
covered with tender was made available to the appellant but according to the
arbitrator mining was not possible in some days in the month of April, 1980 -
B and whole month of May, 1980 on account of obstructions by
kudikidappukars and local public. The above finding of the arbitrator is in
respect of the issue No. 15 which forms part of the award. While awarding
the amount the arbitrator did not take note of the above Clause (c) of the
tender notice which is a part of the agreement and under which the respondent
C would not be liable for such obstruction. Therefore, we hold that the amount
awarded under Claim No. 3 is beyond the scope of the agreement entered into
between the parties and, therefore, the awarded amount in respect of Claim
No. 3 cannot be sustained.

Claim No. 9 is in respect of escalation. It is not disputed at bar that in
D the agreement entered into between the parties there was no escalation
clause. The arbitrator has come to the clear finding that the present appellant
was not pressurised by respondent No. I to agree I 0% hike in the wages of
the mining workers as recorded in the findings in respect of issue No. 34. In
issue No. 3 5 the arbitrator has recorded that the present appellant acceded
to for raise in the wages of mining workers.
E
The amount awarded under Claim No. 9 is not only beyond the scope
of the agreement but also contrary to the findings recorded by the arbitrator.

Therefore, we hold that the arbitrator has misconducted himself in the
proceedings and, therefore, the award is liable to be set aside on the ground
F of legal misconduct on the part of the arbitrator under Section 30 of the Act.
The above being the position the present appeal has no merits and accordingly
dismissed. Considering the facts and circumstances of the case parties to bear
their own costs.

R.K.S. Appeal dismissed.