UOI vs JASBIR SINGH

Judgment text excerpt

$~P-1 * IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI Decided on: 08.04.2025 + O.M.P. (COMM) 291/2020 UOI .....Petitioner Through: Mr. Akshay Amritanshu, Sr. Panel Counsel with Ms. Drishti Saraf, Ms. Pragya Upadhyay, Advocates. versus JASBIR SINGH .....Respondent Through: Mr. Vivekanand and Mr. Abhishek Semwal, Advocates. CORAM: HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE PRATEEK JALAN JUDGMENT 1. By way of this petition under Section 34 of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 [hereinafter, “Act”], the petitioner- Union of India [hereinafter, “UoI”] seeks to assail an arbitral award dated 01.10.2014, by which a learned sole arbitrator has adjudicated disputes between the parties under an agreement dated 02.09.2005, bearing No. 24/ee(E)/FCED/2005-06. By way of the impugned award, a sum of ₹23,09,504/- has been awarded to the respondent- Jasbir Singh, sole proprietor of M/s Kalsi Engineers. A. Facts: 2. The petitioner invited tenders in the year 2005 for the execution of electrical work at the Regional Labour Institute at Sector- 47, Faridabad, Signature Not Verified Signed By:UMANG KHANNA O.M.P. (COMM) 291/2020 Page 1 of 12 Signing Date:08.04.2025 19:43:06 Haryana. The tender was awarded to the respondent under a letter of award dated 18.08.2005. The contractual value of the work was ₹24,91,256/-, and the period for completion of work was stipulated as nine months, calculated from the 22nd day after the award of the work, i.e., 10.09.2005 to 10.06.2006. UoI issued a letter of commencement to the respondent on 02.08.2005. The time for completion of the work was extended on 09.06.2006 until 10.08.2006, and again on 07.08.2006 until 09.10.2006. The work was ultimately completed on 30.05.2008, and a completion certificate was issued on 08.12.2008. 3. The respondent raised demands for additional amo