In Brief
The Supreme Court allowed an appeal challenging the execution of an arbitration award as a sale deed. The arbitrator was referred only to determine the land price; the award fixed it at Rs.12,18,700 for approximately 145 bighas. The award was declaratory only—it did not direct transfer of property. The respondent company had the option to accept or reject the price. When the respondent later withdrew its suit for specific performance of the sale agreement unconditionally, it abandoned its claim for a deed execution. The Court held the executing court cannot go beyond what an award actually directs. The respondent cannot indirectly achieve a sale deed through award execution after abandoning direct specific performance. The Court ordered the appellant to pay the respondent Rs.50 lakhs plus accrued interest (already deposited as interim relief) and an additional Rs.10 lakhs toward litigation costs.
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