UPPER GANGES VALLEY ELECTRICITY SUPPLY COMPANY LTD. vs U.P. ELECTRICITY BOARD

The Supreme Court held that under Section 30 of the Arbitration Act, 1940, an award can be set aside only if there is an error of law apparent on its face. The umpire's exclusion of the value of service lines laid at the cost of consumers was found to be erroneous, thus rendering the award invalid. The Court decided to amend the award instead of setting it aside entirely, as the invalid portion was severable from the valid part, ensuring justice and avoiding undue delay in the proceedings that had been ongoing since 1959.