BSNL granted
extension of time till 15th January 1998 subject to levy of LD and subject to
the supplies being made in terms of the new technical specifications. In
continuation of the said letter BSNL wrote to HFCL on 12th December 1997
intimating that the supply would be made at the unit rate of Rs. 5,89,338.22.
The above correspondence unmistakably shows that the original contract
conditions stood modified by consent of parties and the clauses concerning
time and price stood amended and were accepted without protest by HFCL.
The learned Arbitrator completely overlooked the legal position flowing
from Section 62 of the Contract Act and the law explained in Bhagwati
Prasad Pawan Kumar v. Union of India. The impugned Award erroneously
holds that the principles of novation were not attracted in the instant case.
The learned Arbitrator committed a patent illegality in not even discussing
the above correspondence and therefore erred in concluding that BSNL had
acted arbitrarily in terminating the contract. The facts unmistakably show
that it was HFCL which was in breach of the conditions of the contract and
failed to deliver the contracted quantities within the time stipulated despite
extensions granted for that purpose.
4(g). There is no violation of views in the Gujarat High Court
decision in the case of Dipika Kantilal Shukla Vs. State of
Gujarat, Special Civil Appeal No.10232/1996 dated 28.02.2006, and
Principal Bench decision of this Tribunal in Pawan Kumar Vs. Union
of India in O.A.11/2014 dated 18.12.2014, as the transfer and
relieving order of the applicant have been issued as per the
stipulations of the Transfer Policy. The other caselaws relied
upon by the applicant were based on different facts and,
therefore, they are not of help to him.
The second contention with regard to the option available for changing the site on the strength of the judgment in Pawan Kumar Singh's case (Supra) is also unacceptable. The said judgment does not lay down the law on a consideration of the relevant provisions as has been pointed out in this case and therefore, as would be evident from the findings recorded hereinafter the aforesaid judgment would not be a ratio so as to attract the principles of a binding nature of a precedent.
The fact of the instant case are attracted to Bhagwati Prasad Pawan
Kumars case (supra) because the complainant had encashed
the cheque without any protest.
Further in M/s Bhagwati Prasad Pawan Kumar v. Union of India [2006-03 PLD 76 (SC)] Hon'ble Supreme Court held that the protest of non-acceptance must be conveyed before the cheque is encashed. In the present case, the Complainant had not lodged any protest.
The judgement of the Supreme Court titled Bhagwati Prasad Pawan Kumar vs Union of India (supra) is of no help to appellant/OP as the facts of the said case are entirely different. Immediately on receiving the cheque, the appellant had protested for the brokerage as is evident from the email dated 18.11.09.
3. It appears from the order dated 13.10.2004 passed by this Court that the
initial plea taken by the appellant before ths Court was that the decision of this Court in
the case of Bhagwati Prasad Pawan Kumar vs. Union of India, reported in 2000 (3) GLT
66 is not applicable. This Court has recorded in the said order dated 13.10.2004 that no
force was found in the aforesaid plea. However, on the submission made by the learned
MFA 122/2004 Page 1 of 5
counsel for the appellant that a similar matter, being MFA 118/2004 was admitted for
hearing, this present appeal was directed to be tagged along with MFA 118/2004.
Incidentally, the said MFA No. 118/2004 was withdrawn today, owing to which the said
appeal was dismissed on withdrawal.