In Brief
Union of India awarded a construction contract to Simplex Infrastructures Ltd for a tsunami reconstruction project, but later rescinded it for non-performance. The contractor invoked arbitration, and the arbitrator set aside the rescission order. When Union of India challenged the award before the High Court, the Single Judge allowed the condonation of a 131-day delay in filing. The High Court Division Bench reversed this order via Letters Patent Appeal. The Supreme Court held that the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 is a self-contained code; orders on condonation of delay under Section 34 fall within the Act and cannot be challenged by Letters Patent Appeal, only by special leave petition to the Supreme Court. The Court set aside the Division Bench order.
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