Bombay High Court
Rajesh Construction Co.Ltd vs Ravilal Nanji Dedhia on 23 October, 2008
Author: S.Radhakrishnan
Bench: S.Radhakrishnan, A.V.Nirgude
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bgp
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY
ORDINARY ORIGINAL CIVIL JURISDICTION
APPEAL NO.670 OF 2007
IN
ARBITRATION PETITION NO.336 OF 2007
1. Rajesh Construction Co.Ltd.,
registered and incorporated under the
provisions of the Companies Act,1956
and having its registered office at
139 Sakseria Chambers, 2nd Floor,
Nagindas Master Road, Fort,
Mumbai - 400 023.
2. Rajesh Raghavji Patel
of Bombay, Indian inhabitant, the
Director of the Rajesh Construction
Ltd. i.e. Petitioner No.1 herein and
having his office at above at 139,
Sakseria Chambers, 2nd Floor,
Nagindas Master Road, Fort, ..Appellants
Mumbai - 400 023. (Ori.Petitioners)
Versus
1. Ravilal Nanji Dedhia
2. Nirmala Ravilal Dedhia
3. Purvi Vijay Dedhia
all of Bombay, Indian inhabitants
residing at 303, Gagangiri Complex,
18th Road, Chembur,
Mumbai - 400 071.
4. Everest Construction Co.
a partnership firm having its
office at 12/12A, Arihant Mansion,
29, Keshavji Naik Road, ..Respondents
Mumbai - 400 009. (Ori.Respondents)
WITH
ARBITRATION APPLICATION NO.43 OF 2008
1. Rajesh Construction Co.Ltd.,
registered and incorporated under the
provisions of the Companies Act,1956
and having its registered office at
139 Sakseria Chambers, 2nd Floor,
Nagindas Master Road, Fort,
Mumbai - 400 023.
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2. Rajesh Raghavji Patel
of Bombay, Indian inhabitant, the
Director of the Rajesh Construction
Ltd. i.e. Applicant No.1 herein and
having his office at above at 139,
Sakseria Chambers, 2nd Floor,
Nagindas Master Road, Fort, ..Applicants
Mumbai - 400 023.
Versus
1. Ravilal Nanji Dedhia
2. Nirmala Ravilal Dedhia
3. Purvi Vijay Dedhia
all of Bombay, Indian inhabitants
residing at 303, Gagangiri Complex,
18th Road, Chembur,
Mumbai - 400 071.
4. Everest Construction Co.
a partnership firm having its
office at 12/12A, Arihant Mansion,
29, Keshavji Naik Road,
Mumbai - 400 009.
5. Shantilal Vershi Haria,
of Mumbai, Indian Inhabitant,
residing at 03/107, Bhaveshwar
Complex, Vidya Vihar (West),
Mumbai - 400 086. ..Respondents
Mr.Shri Hari Aney, Senior Advocate with
Mr.S.C.Tamhane i/b. Tamhane & Co. for the Appellant
in Appeal No.670 of 2007.
Mr.S.U.Kamdar with Mr.Satish Shah i/b. Tamhane & Co.
for the Applicant in Arbitration Application No.43 of
2008.
Mr.D.D.Madon, Senior Advocate with Mr.D.H.Mehta i/b.
S.Pathak & Co. for Respondent Nos.1 and 2.
Mr.Pravin Samdhani, Senior Advocate with Mr.Maulik
P.Vora for Respondent Nos.3 and 4.
Mr.S.Kathawala with Ms.Sandya Tolat i/b.M/s.Vimdalal
& Co. for Respondent No.5 in Arbitration Application
No.43 of 2008 and Noticee in Show Cause Notice No.302
of 2008.
CORAM :- DR.S.RADHAKRISHNAN &
A.V.NIRGUDE, JJ.
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JUDGMENT RESERVED ON : 3RD JULY,2008
JUDGMENT PRONOUNCED ON : 23rd OCTOBER,2008
JUDGMENT (PER : DR.S.RADHAKRISHNAN,J.)
1. Both the above Appeal and the Arbitration Application have been referred to us for final disposal by the Hon'ble the Chief Justice.
2. The above Appeal arises out of a judgment and order dated 27th August,2007 passed by the learned Single Judge dismissing the Arbitration Petition filed under ig Section 9 of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act,1996 (for the sake of brevity "the said Act") and the above Arbitration Application No.43 of 2008 has been filed for the purpose of appointment of an Arbitrator as per the provisions of Section 11 of the said Act.
3. The entire controversy in both the above Appeal as well as the Arbitration Application arises out of the purported Memorandum of Understanding (in short MOU) entered upon between the Ravilal Nanji Dedhia Group and Rajesh Builders Group. It is the case of the Appellant that a MOU was executed between the Ravilal Nanji Dedhia Group and Rajesh Builders Group on 8th November,2004, wherein in Arbitration clause, both the parties had jointly appointed one Shantilal Vershi Haria as a sole Arbitrator.
Mr.Aney, the learned Senior Counsel appearing on ::: Downloaded on - 09/06/2013 14:00:59 ::: :4: behalf of the Appellant contended that it was a joint venture arrangement, whereby both the parties had agreed to jointly develop a property situated at Prabhadevi by demolishing an existing structure.
Mr.Aney, the learned Senior Counsel pointed out that as per the aforesaid MOU, the share would be on 50:50 percentage sharing basis. Mr.Aney, the learned Senior Counsel pointed out that before the aforesaid development could take place, various other formalities had to be completed as mentioned in Clause-2 of the aforesaid MOU. It is the case of the Appellant that pursuant to the aforesaid joint venture sum of agreement, Rs.31 lacs the on Appellant 10th November,2004 had contributed and a another sum of Rs.1 Crore on 18th May,2005 and lastly Rs.1.5 Crores on 25th April,2006. Mr.Aney, the learned Senior Counsel contended that part of the aforesaid amount was used to pay off the Everest Construction Company as well as Lake View Developers and even thereafter for the purpose of obtaining retirement deed from Satinder Pal Investment Pvt.Ltd.
4. Mr.Aney, the learned Senior Counsel pointed out that when his client came to know about a public notice issued by the proposed buyer Everest Construction Co. on 3rd July,2007, immediately a notice was given by Appellant's Advocate stating that there is a joint venture agreement subsisting between the Rajesh Builders Group and Dedhia Group.
::: Downloaded on - 09/06/2013 14:00:59 ::: :5:Thereafter within a period of four days, the Appellants through their Advocate invoked the Arbitration clause seeking arbitration. Thereupon, a letter was received from the Advocate of Ravilal Dedhia dated 17th July,2007 requesting inspection of the purported MOU and other relevant documents.
Similarly, even the Advocate for Respondent Nos.2 and 3 sought inspection of the said MOU and denied that Respondent Nos.2 and 3 had executed any such MOU.
5. Thereafter, the Appellant's Advocate on 21st July,2007 wrote to the said Shantilal Vershi Haria requesting letter of inspection of Appellant's the said Advocate, MOU.
on
To
24th
the said
July,2007
Mr.Shantilal Haria sent a reply stating that the
original MOU which was in his possession will be offered for inspection to both the sides.
6. In the meanwhile on 7th August,2007, the Arbitration Petition came to be filed under Section 9 of the said Act for an injunction pending the arbitration. In the said proceedings, on 17th August,2007, Mr.Haria filed an Affidavit stating that the Respondents had misrepresented and had taken a letter dated 17th July,2007 as if the original MOU was in his possession and stated that the same was not in his possession. On the very same day, the Respondent No.1 also filed an Affidavit denying any agreement between Everest Construction Co. and the ::: Downloaded on - 09/06/2013 14:00:59 ::: :6: Petitioners, however, in the said Affidavit, it is admitted by the Respondent No.1 that the Rajesh Builders Group had paid him Rs.2.81 Crores but the same was only by way of a friendly loan. On 23rd August,2007, the Respondent No.1 had filed an Affidavit giving details of payments made. On 27th August,2007 Mr.Haria had filed a further Affidavit stating that the earlier Affidavit was filed without reading it and also the original MOU was kept with him with the consent of both parties. However, the original MOU was not traceable, as the same was misplaced in his office. In the aforesaid second Affidavit that he dated had 27th made August,2007 an incorrect Mr.Haria statement also in stated his earlier Affidavit that the MOU was not in his possession and as such he prayed for withdrawal of his earlier Affidavit.
7. Finally, all the parties had argued before the learned Single Judge with regard to the Arbitration Petition filed under Section 9 of the Act, and the learned Single Judge by his detailed judgment and order dated 27th August,2007 had criticised the conduct of the Arbitrator and found that there were serious disputes between the parties as to the very existence of the MOU. The learned Single Judge had expressed doubt about any right, title and interest in property so created in favour of the Rajesh Builders Group. Under these facts and circumstances ::: Downloaded on - 09/06/2013 14:00:59 ::: :7: of the case, the learned Single Judge had dismissed the above Arbitration Petition filed under Section 9 of the Act.
8. Aggrieved thereby, the present Appeal has been filed by the Appellant and also a Notice of Motion No.3830 of 2007 has been taken out for an appointment of a Court Receiver and injunction restraining the Respondents from creating any third party rights in the said property. On 31st October,2007, the above Appeal was admitted by the Division Bench, however no ad-interim or interim reliefs were granted.
9. In the aforesaid Notice of Motion before the Appellate Court, both the Ravilal Dedhia and Purvi Dedhia had filed two separate Affidavits-in-reply both dated 10th December,2007 and had alleged that the Respondent had in fact entered into a joint venture agreement on 31st August,2007 with one Gagangiri Nirmal Pvt.Ltd to develop the said property. On 25th January,2007, a public notice was duly published that the Respondent No.4 and Gagangiri Nirman Pvt. Ltd. were negotiating for a joint development of the said property. In response to the same, on 30th January,2008, the learned Advocate for the Appellants wrote a letter to the Advocate who issued a public dated 25th January,2008 affirming that the MOU dated 8th November,2004 was valid and subsisting and that the Appellants had filed a lis ::: Downloaded on - 09/06/2013 14:00:59 ::: :8: pendens notice and the Respondent No.4 was intending to defeat the rights of the Appellants in the property even though the Notice of Motion was pending.
10. Mr.Aney, the learned Senior Counsel pointed out that the learned Single Judge had erroneously dismissed the aforesaid Arbitration Petition filed under Section 9 of the Act and in fact the learned Single Judge ought to have granted necessary reliefs under Section 9 of the Act. Mr.Aney, the learned Senior Counsel strongly contended that the aforesaid original Rs.100/-
MOU
on
ig was
8th
duly
November,2004
executed on
and
a
both
stamp
the
paper of
parties
had kept it with the learned Arbitrator Mr.Haria in
safe custody. Mr.Aney contended that merely because
the learned Arbitrator had himself misplaced the
original MOU, it does not mean that there is no MOU
between the Ravilal Dedhia Group and Rajesh Builders
Group. Mr.Aney also contended that there is no
dispute that his clients had paid total sum of
Rs.2.81 Crores to the said Ravilal Nanji Dedhia.
Therefore, Mr.Aney contended that the said amount was
utilised by Ravilal Nanji Dedhia Group to remove
various obstacles as mentioned in clause-2 of the
MOU. Therefore, Mr.Aney stated that now after
utilising the said amount Ravilal Nanji Dedhia Group
cannot back track and that they have to act on the basis of the said MOU.
::: Downloaded on - 09/06/2013 14:00:59 ::: :9:11. Mr.Aney also emphasised that pursuant to the said joint venture agreement, the Everest Construction Company as well as Lake View Developers and Satinder Pal Investment Pvt.Ltd. have retired and only Dedhia Group and Rajesh Builders Group remained, so as to enable the Rajesh Builders Group and Dedhia Group to jointly develop the said property.
12. Mr.Aney, the learned Senior counsel having regard to the aforesaid facts and circumstances of the Affidavit case of and the also learned in Arbitrator view of Mr.Haria the that categorical the duly engrossed original MOU was with him and the same has been misplaced in his office and as such the Court ought to protect the interest of the Appellants and the learned Single Judge had committed a serious error in not granting the relief sought in the said proceedings.
13. Mr.Madon, the learned Senior Counsel appearing on behalf of Respondent Nos.1 and 2 very strongly contended that there is absolutely no MOU dated 8th November,2004. He pointed out that when the inspection of the purported original MOU dated 8th November,2004 was sought, neither the Appellants nor the learned Arbitrator could show the original MOU duly signed by all the parties. Mr.Madon contended ::: Downloaded on - 09/06/2013 14:00:59 ::: :10: that the purported MOU appears to be a concocted document, in the sense, if in reality a MOU had been executed on 8th November,2004 involving such a huge sum and wherein a Chartered Accountant Mr.Haria has been appointed as the sole Arbitrator and both the Groups consists of well versed businessmen and they would obviously have atleast a xerox copy of the original MOU which would have clearly indicated that such an MOU has been executed on 8th November,2004.
14. Mr.Madon, the learned Senior Counsel contended that finally what is sought to be relied upon on is a document and a which print-out ig was which stored was in also the relied computer upon of before Mr.Haria the learned Single Judge and the same is also relied upon before us. The said print-out indicates that the draft document has been sent by one Mr.Dinesh Chandra to Mr.Shantilal V. Haria, Chartered Accountant on 8th November,2004 at 11.45 a.m. The said communication also indicates that the document has been saved as "ecc-Memorandumbyharia". Mr.Madon, also pointed out that neither the learned Arbitrator nor the Appellants categorically state that as to when the aforesaid MOU was exactly executed, in which place and at what time. Mr.Madon stated that all these facts are very relevant since, the said document appears to be a draft. It only mentions _____day (blank) of November,2004. Similarly, at the end of said document also it does not indicate that ::: Downloaded on - 09/06/2013 14:00:59 ::: :11: the same was signed by any of the parties. Mr.Madon also contended that the Dedhia Group did not have a copy of this document. Mr.Madon, the learned Senior Counsel pointed out that even though the aforesaid MOU was drafted by Mr.Haria the same is not averred by him in both the Affidavits filed by him.
15. Mr.Madon also pointed out that the aforesaid sum of Rs.2.81 Crores had been advanced as a loan by the Appellants to Ravilal Nanji Dedhia individually and out of the said amount, a sum of Rs.1.5 Crore has been returned back to the Appellants as far back as on all 5th the ig May,2006.
tax returns as
Mr.Madon
well as
also
the
produced
Profit
before
and
us
Loss
business loss accounts which clearly indicate that
the entire amount of Rs.2.81 Crores was received by
Ravilal Nanji Dedhia as and by way of a loan and in
fact out of the said amount of Rs.2.81 Crores, a sum
of Rs.1.5 Crores have been returned back as mentioned
hereinabove. Mr.Madon emphasised that all these
facts clearly indicate that there is no real MOU. If
the Appellant wants to invoke the said Arbitration
clause, then the Memorandum of Undertaking has to
exist. Under these facts and circumstances of the
case Mr.Madon contended that the judgment and order
passed by the learned Single Judge was fully
justifiable and this Court ought not to interfere with the same.
::: Downloaded on - 09/06/2013 14:00:59 ::: :12:16. Mr.Madon also referred to the certain following serious discrepancies in the purported MOU which was annexed to the Arbitration Petition under Section 9 and the Arbitration Application filed under 11(6) of the said Act. Both the above Arbitration Petition and the Arbitration Application have been filed by the Appellants.
Difference between MOU annexed to the Arbitration Petition No.336 and annexed to the Arbitration Application and Additional Affiavit of Respondent No.5. ig Annexed to the Petition Sr.No. Page Para No. Annexed to the Petition No.
1. 1 heading thereof be mean and include
2. 1 heading to the context or meaning thereof be mean include their respective
3. 1 heading Administrators and assigns
4. 3 Main The party of Second part Agree shall cause para 2(e)
5. 4 Para 2 Total permissible FSI as per Bombay Municipal Corporation rules
6. 6 Para 9 Shall be referred to any arbitration under
7. 6 Execution Shri Ravilal Nanji Dedhia clause ::: Downloaded on - 09/06/2013 14:00:59 ::: :13: Annexed to the Application and to the Affidavit of Shantilal Haria Sr.No. Page Para No. Annexed to the Application No. and to the Affidavit of Shantilal Haria
1. 1 heading thereof be deemed to include
2. 1 heading to the context and meaning thereof be deemed to mean and include their respective
3. 1 heading administrators and assignors
4. 3 Main The party of First part Agree shall cause ig para 2(e)
5. 4 Para 2 Total permissible FSI as per BMC rules.
6. 4 Para 9 Shall be referred to arbitration under
7. 6 Execution Shri Ravilal Nanji Dedhia clause Chairman of Ravilal Nanji dedhia Gr
17. Mr.Madon, the learned Senior Counsel in that behalf referred to a judgment of the learned Single Judge in the case of M/s.Charu Trading Company Pvt.Ltd. Vs. M/s.Saimangai Investrade Ltd. & Ors.
in Arbitration Petition No.479 of 2001 decided on
17th September,2001,
September,2001 wherein, the learned Single
Judge had categorically held that the Courts can
intervene only in those cases provided by the Act and
in respect of the same, where there is an Arbitral Agreement in terms of Section-7 of the Act.
::: Downloaded on - 09/06/2013 14:00:59 ::: :14:18. Mr.Madon also referred to another judgment of the learned Single Judge in the case of Shri.Pramod Chimanbai Patel Vs. M/s.Lalit Constructions & Anr.
2002(4) ALL MR 345, wherein the learned Single Judge had clearly held that unless and until the document is signed by both the parties, there cannot be any arbitration agreement, as per Section 7 of the Act.
The learned Single Judge had taken a view that both the parties have to sign the agreement, failing which there cannot be any agreement which can be acted upon and treated as an Arbitration Agreement.
19.
the case, Under the aforesaid facts and circumstances of Mr.Madon stated that the judgment and order passed by the learned Single is fully justifiable and this Court ought to dismiss the above Appeal.
19. Mr.Madon also referred to the judgment of the Hon'ble Supreme Court in the case of Atul Singh and Ors. Vs. Sunil Kumar Singh and Ors. (2008)2 SCC 602, especially paragraph No.16, which makes it clear that unless and until there is an agreement as defined under Section 7 of the Act there cannot be any arbitration between the parties.
20. Mr.Samdani, the learned Senior Counsel appearing on behalf of Respondent Nos.3 and 4 referred to Section 7 of the Act, which reads as under:
::: Downloaded on - 09/06/2013 14:00:59 ::: :15:7. Arbitration agreement:
agreement (1) In this Part, "arbitration agreement"
means an agreement by the parties to submit to arbitration all or certain disputes which have arisen or which may arise between them in respect of a defined legal relationship, whether contractual or not.
(2) An arbitration agreement may be in the form of an arbitration clause in a contract or in the form of a separate agreement.
(3) An arbitration agreement shall be in writing.
(4) An arbitration agreement is in writing if
it is contained in -
(a) a document signed by the parties;
(b) an exchange of letters, telex, telegrams
or other
ig means of telecommunication which
provide a record of the agreement; or
(c) an exchange of statements of claim and
defence in which the existence of the
agreement is alleged by one party and not
denied by the other.
(5) The reference in a contract to a document
containing an arbitration clause constitutes
an arbitration agreement if the contract is in
writing and the reference is such as to make
that arbitration clause part of the contract.
21. Mr.Samdani, the learned Senior Counsel also pointed out, that an arbitration agreement will have to be in writing, which is mandatory as per Section 7(3) of the said Act. He also pointed out Section 7(4) of the Act, that if the arbitration is in writing then it should be a document signed by the parties. The contention of Mr.Samdani is that in the instant case, whatever document which has been produced before the Court does not contain any signature of any party. In fact, it should contain the signatures of both the parties. He also referred ::: Downloaded on - 09/06/2013 14:00:59 ::: :16: to Section 2(h) of the Act, which defines "party" to the effect that the party means a party to an arbitration agreement. Mr.Samdani pointed out that the aforesaid expression of Ravilal Nanji Dedhia Group and Rajesh Builders Group contain various companies, partnership firms etc. and it is a very anomalous situation if it is were to be stated that only Mr.Ravilal Nani Dedhia could sign on behalf of the entire Group and similarly Rajesh Raghavji Patel could sign on behalf of the entire Rajesh Builders Group. The purported agreement should indicate as to who are the members of the Group and who had authorised on behalf the of aforesaid the Ravilal entire Group Nanji and Dedhia also who to sign had authorised Rajesh Raghavji Patel to sign on behalf of the entire Rajesh Builders Group. Hence, Mr.Samdani contended that in the instant case, there is no established arbitration agreement as contemplated under the provisions of Section 7 of the Act. In that behalf, Mr.Samdani referred to and relied upon a judgment of the learned Single Judge in the case of Jeweltouch (India) Pvt.Ltd. Vs. Naheed Hafeez Quaraishi (Patrawala ) & Ors. 2008(3) Mh.L.J.54 and also another judgment of the learned Single Judge in the case of Shaw Wallace Distilleries Ltd. Vs. Kamal Wineries & Anr. in Arbitration Petition No.131 of 2003 decided on 9th June,2003, June,2003 wherein the learned Single Judge had categorically held that there has to be a finding recorded that there exists an ::: Downloaded on - 09/06/2013 14:00:59 ::: :17: arbitration agreement between the parties which is necessary for making an interim order under Section 9 of the Act. Mr.Samdani also referred to a Division Bench judgment of this Court in the case of Oberai Construction Pvt.Ltd. Vs. Worli Shivshahi Co.Op.
Housing Society Ltd. in Appeal No.619 of 2007 In Arbitration Petition (L) No.233 of 2007 decided on 30th January,2008, wherein also this Court had held that an Application under Section 9 of the Act can be entertained only if there is an arbitration agreement, then only the learned Judge can assume jurisdiction under the said Section and if there is no signed clear by ig evidence the parties, that then, an there is arbitration no question agreement of invoking Section 9 of the Act for granting relief.
In the said judgment, this Court had held that if there is no arbitration agreement, even the Court cannot exercise the power under Section 11 of the Act, since there is no concluded contract between the parties.
22. Under these circumstances, Mr.Samdani contended that the order passed by the learned Single Judge is fully justifiable and this court ought not to interfere with the same.
23. Right at the outset, Mr.Kamdar appearing on behalf of the Applicants in the above Arbitration Application, referred to and relied upon a judgment ::: Downloaded on - 09/06/2013 14:00:59 ::: :18: of the Hon'ble Supreme Court in the case of SBP & CO.
Vs. Patel Engineering Ltd. and Anr. (2005) 8 SCC 618, 618 especially paragraph 47, which deals with the scope of the powers of the learned Chief Justice of the High Court or the Chief Justice of India while exercising the power under Section 11 (6) of the Act for the purpose of appointment of an Arbitrator.
24. Mr.Kamdar also referred to and relied upon another judgment of the Hon'ble Supreme Court in the case of Larsen & Toubro Ltd. Vs. Fertilizer & Chemicals Travancore Ltd. (2008) 1 SCC 252, 252 with regard case, it to is the named contended Arbitrator, that as Mr.Haria in is the a instant named Arbitrator. Mr.Kamdar also referred to another judgment of the Hon'ble Supreme Court in the case of Rodemadan India Ltd. Vs. International Trade Expo Centre Ltd. (2006) 11 SCC 651, 651 contending that this Court can even record evidence as to the subsistence of the agreement in the manner in which the said agreement was executed so that the Applicant is not deprived of the remedy of getting the Arbitrator appointed. Mr.Kamdar further referred to and relied upon a decision of the Hon'ble Supreme Court in the case of Aurohill Global Commodities Ltd. Vs. Maharashtra STC Ltd. (2007) 7 SCC 120, 120 to contend that whether the contract is non-est or otherwise can be decided by the Arbitrator and only on that ground, the arbitration application ought not be dismissed.
::: Downloaded on - 09/06/2013 14:00:59 ::: :19:25. Mr.Kamdar, the learned Counsel further sought to contend that the learned Arbitrator could go into the issue whether there is an arbitration agreement or not and this Court need not go into the same. In that behalf Mr.Kamdar, referred to and relied upon a judgment of the learned Single Judge in Smt.Satya Kailashchandra Sahu and Ors. Vs. M/s.Vidarbha Distillers, Nagpur and Ors. AIR 1998 BOMBAY 210, 210 and another judgment of Delhi High Court in the case of Jansatta Shakari Awas Samiti Ltd. Vs. M/s.Organic India 2006(1) R.A.J. 124 (Del.).
(Del.)
26. Both the learned Senior Counsel Mr.Madon and Mr.Samdani repeated and reiterated the very same arguments which were advanced in the above Appeal, mainly to contend that when there is no clear material before this Court to justify that the MOU was duly executed by both the parties and as the same is absent, there is no arbitration agreement and then there is no question of appointing any Arbitrator under Section 11(6) of the Act.
27. After having heard all the learned Counsel and the learned Senior Counsel for the respective parties and after perusal of the record, we find that none of the aforesaid payments which were purportedly made in pursuance of the joint venture agreement dated 8th ::: Downloaded on - 09/06/2013 14:00:59 ::: :20: November,2004 i.e. to say three payments of Rs.31 lacs were paid on 10th November,2004, Rs.1 Crore was paid on 18th May,2005 and Rs.1.5 Crores were paid on 25th April,2006, there is no covering letter sent along with the aforesaid three payments, indicating that the same was pursuant to the above arguments dated 8th November,2007. Another pertinent fact to note is that all the aforesaid three payments were made individually to Ravilal Nanji Dedhia. There is also no dispute that the aforesaid payments were made by crossed cheques. It is rather strange for the Appellants being seasoned businessman and builders to enter the MOU into ig a MOU though the and not purported even original retain MOU xerox had copy of been handed over to the Arbitrator. None of the aforesaid three payments indicate that they were made towards the aforesaid purported MOU.
28. Another vital aspect to be noted here is that the aforesaid sum of Rs.1.5 Crore was returned back on 5th May,2006 i.e. much before the aforesaid dispute arose and the Appellants had immediately encashed the said cheque and took the money back and they never protested as to why the said Rs.1.5 Crore has been returned back which has been paid to Respondent Nos.1 and 2 towards the aforesaid joint venture. The Appellants whereas contended that they came to know about Respondents backing out of the aforesaid joint venture, only on 3rd July,2007 in ::: Downloaded on - 09/06/2013 14:00:59 ::: :21: view of Respondent No.4's public Notice. However, Appellants had accepted Rs.1.5 Crores which was returned back on 5th May,2006, without any protest whatsoever.
29. Another pertinent fact is to note is that all the tax returns and business and loss accounts filed by the Respondents clearly indicate that the aforesaid amount of Rs.31 lacs has been paid on 10th November,2004 and another Rs.1 Crore has been paid on 18th May,2005 and Rs.1.5 Crores paid on 25th April,2006 were all had received by the Respondent No.1, individually, as a friendly loan.
30. Neither Mr.Aney nor Mr.Kamdar could clearly indicate from the record as to the time and place where the aforesaid purported MOU was executed and who had all signed the same.
31. Under the aforesaid facts and circumstances of the case, it is explicitly clear that the Appellants have failed to establish that there is a valid arbitration agreement duly executed by the parties so as to invoke relief under Section 9 of the Act as well as relief under Section 11(6) of the Act.
32. In view thereof, under these circumstances, there is no error or illegality in the order dated 27th August,2007 passed by the learned Single Judge ::: Downloaded on - 09/06/2013 14:00:59 ::: :22: and the Appeal is totally devoid of merits. Hence, the same stands dismissed with costs.
33. Since, the Appellants have totally failed to establish that there is an arbitration agreement dated 8th November,2004 entered into between the parties, there is no question of invoking jurisdiction under Section 11(6) of the Act for the purpose of appointment of an Arbitrator. Hence, the said Application also stands dismissed with costs.
34. After the above judgment was pronounced, Mr.Shah, stay of the this learned order Counsel for a for period the of Appellant six sought weeks.
Mr.Samdhani, the learned Senior Counsel for the Respondent Nos.3 and 4 very strongly objected for granting any stay stating that there was no ad-interim-relief was granted in the above Appeal and as such no stay should be granted and the same will cause serious prejudice to his clients' interest.
35. Having regard to the aforesaid facts and circumstances of the case, we are not inclined to grant any stay in the above.
(A.V.NIRGUDE,J.) (DR.S.RADHAKRISHNAN,J.) ::: Downloaded on - 09/06/2013 14:00:59 :::