SPECIAL MILITARY ESTATES OFFICER vs MUNIVENKATARAMIAH & ANOTHER

The Supreme Court held that appeals against the award of an Arbitrator under Section 30 of the Defence of India Act, 1962 are not maintainable in light of Section 25(1) of the Requisitioning and Acquisition of Immovable Property Act, 1952, particularly for requisitions made before January 10, 1968. The Court clarified that the Defence Act ceased to apply after this date, and any compensation disputes must be resolved under the Requisitioning Act. Consequently, the High Court's dismissal of the appeals was upheld, affirming the finality of the Arbitrator's award under the Defence Act prior to its expiration.