STATE OF H.P. vs M/S HIMACHAL TECHNO ENGINEERS

The Supreme Court held that under Section 34(3) of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996, an application to set aside an arbitral award must be filed within three months of receiving the award, with a possible extension of thirty days if sufficient cause is shown. The Court affirmed that the delay in filing the petition by the appellant was beyond the permissible limit, as it was filed on 11.3.2008, while the last date for filing was 10.3.2008. Consequently, the appeal was dismissed, upholding the High Court's decision to reject the application for condonation of delay.