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citation codes
Case Number
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Acts
  • section 10 of the Delhi High Court Act, 1966 read with Order XLIII rule 1 (i) of the Code of Civil Procedure.
  • provisions of this Act and of rules made thereunder. (a) the provisions of the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908,
  • SECTION 24 HINDU MARRIAGE ACT 1955
  • Order XXXIX rule 4 read with section 151 of the Code of Civil Procedure.
  • Act because the provisions of Order XLIII rule 1 Civil Procedure Code
  • 1963 Calcutta 642 (8).Section 38 (1) of the Delhi Rent Control Act, 1958
  • SECTION 20 ARBITRATION ACT 1940
  • provisions of Order XLIII rule 1 (r) of the Civil Procedure Code
  • rule 4 of Order XXXIX Civil Procedure Code. Section 41 (b)
  • SECTION 10 DELHI HIGH COURT ACT
  • SECTION 41 ARBITRATION ACT
  • section 10 (1) of the Delhi High Court Act, 1966
  • DELHI RENT CONTROL ACT 1958
  • Section 104 (1) of the Code of Civil Procedure
  • section 115 of the Code of Civil Procedure
  • Section 141 of the Code of Civil Procedure
  • Section 4 (1) of the Code of Civil Procedure
  • section 41 (b) rather than of section 41 (a)
  • Order XXIII rule 3 Civil Procedure Code)
  • Order XXXIX rule 4 Civil Procedure Code
  • SECTION 141 CIVIL PROCEDURE CODE
  • Code of Civil Procedure.Section 41 (b)
  • SECTION 39 ARBITRATION ACT
  • provisions of this Act, section 39
  • section 141 of the said Code.(4)
  • Section 41 (a) or section 41 (b)
  • sub-section (2) of section 5
  • HINDU MARRIAGE ACT 1955
  • Order XLIII rule 1
  • section 41 (b)
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Cites
Cited by
Citation Codes
Equivalent Citations
citation codes
Case Number
Advocates
Judges
Acts
  • section 10 of the Delhi High Court Act, 1966 read with Order XLIII rule 1 (i) of the Code of Civil Procedure.
  • provisions of this Act and of rules made thereunder. (a) the provisions of the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908,
  • SECTION 24 HINDU MARRIAGE ACT 1955
  • Order XXXIX rule 4 read with section 151 of the Code of Civil Procedure.
  • Act because the provisions of Order XLIII rule 1 Civil Procedure Code
  • 1963 Calcutta 642 (8).Section 38 (1) of the Delhi Rent Control Act, 1958
  • SECTION 20 ARBITRATION ACT 1940
  • provisions of Order XLIII rule 1 (r) of the Civil Procedure Code
  • rule 4 of Order XXXIX Civil Procedure Code. Section 41 (b)
  • SECTION 10 DELHI HIGH COURT ACT
  • SECTION 41 ARBITRATION ACT
  • section 10 (1) of the Delhi High Court Act, 1966
  • DELHI RENT CONTROL ACT 1958
  • Section 104 (1) of the Code of Civil Procedure
  • section 115 of the Code of Civil Procedure
  • Section 141 of the Code of Civil Procedure
  • Section 4 (1) of the Code of Civil Procedure
  • section 41 (b) rather than of section 41 (a)
  • Order XXIII rule 3 Civil Procedure Code)
  • Order XXXIX rule 4 Civil Procedure Code
  • SECTION 141 CIVIL PROCEDURE CODE
  • Code of Civil Procedure.Section 41 (b)
  • SECTION 39 ARBITRATION ACT
  • provisions of this Act, section 39
  • section 141 of the said Code.(4)
  • Section 41 (a) or section 41 (b)
  • sub-section (2) of section 5
  • HINDU MARRIAGE ACT 1955
  • Order XLIII rule 1
  • section 41 (b)
Smart Summary

Structured Summary of the Opinion (V.S. Deshpande, J.)

Factual and Procedural Background

A contractual dispute between the parties was referred to arbitration by an order passed under section 20 of the Arbitration Act, 1940 by this Court. While that referral was the subject of an appeal before a Division Bench, a learned Single Judge of this Court granted a temporary injunction against the Union of India. The Union of India applied (purporting to proceed under Order XXXIX rule 4 read with section 151 of the Code of Civil Procedure) for cancellation or variation of the temporary injunction, and a learned Single Judge subsequently modified the temporary injunction to some extent.

The Union of India filed an appeal (F.A.O. (OS) Nos. 7 and 8 of 1971) under section 10 of the Delhi High Court Act, 1966 read with Order XLIII rule 1 of the Code of Civil Procedure seeking to vacate or further modify the injunction. The respondents contended that the order appealed against was passed under the Arbitration Act and, because section 39 of that Act limits the orders appealable under it, the appeal was not maintainable.

The Court ultimately dismissed the appeals on a preliminary ground of non‑maintainability and also dismissed interlocutory matters C.M. Nos. 1447 and 1448 of 1971; no order as to costs was made.

Legal Issues Presented

  1. Whether the order varying the temporary injunction was an order "under the Arbitration Act, 1940" (and therefore subject to section 39 of that Act), or whether it was an order under the Code of Civil Procedure such that an appeal lay under section 10 of the Delhi High Court Act read with Order XLIII rule 1 CPC.
  2. If the order was "under the Arbitration Act", whether section 39 of the Arbitration Act barred the appeal filed under section 10 of the Delhi High Court Act and Order XLIII rule 1 CPC.
  3. Whether the provisions of the Code of Civil Procedure (such as Order XLIII rule 1) are made applicable to proceedings under the Arbitration Act by section 41(a) or by the operation of section 141 of the Code, and the legal consequence of that incorporation for the right of appeal.
  4. Whether an order passed by a Single Judge of the High Court under the Arbitration Act, but not appealable under section 39, can be the subject of revision under section 115 CPC.

Arguments of the Parties

Appellant (Union of India) — Arguments as recorded

  • The Union of India proceeded on the ground that the application seeking cancellation or variation of the injunction was made under Order XXXIX rule 4 read with section 151 CPC; accordingly, the appeal could be filed under the ordinary appellate provisions (Order XLIII rule 1 CPC) and section 10 of the Delhi High Court Act.
  • The learned Attorney General contended that the order under appeal was passed under the Code of Civil Procedure and not under the Arbitration Act, and therefore the right of appeal arose under the Code and not under the Arbitration Act.
  • The Union relied upon section 41 of the Arbitration Act (in particular the incorporation in section 41(a) of the provisions of the Code of Civil Procedure) to show that procedures of the Code applied to proceedings before the Court under the Arbitration Act.

Respondents — Arguments as recorded

  • The respondents contended that the order appealed against had been passed under the Arbitration Act and was therefore governed by section 39 of that Act, which prescribes the only orders appealable under the Act; because the impugned order was not one of those specified in section 39, the appeal was not maintainable.

Table of Precedents Cited

Precedent Rule or Principle Cited For Application by the Court
Bhahidas v. Pai Gulab (1921) 48 I.A. 181 Authorities holding that provisions of Letters Patent are "special law" and can govern appeals in preference to corresponding provisions of the Code. Used to illustrate that Letters Patent provisions may displace Code provisions; supports the general discussion of sources of appellate rights.
Union of India v. Mohindra Supply Co., (1962) 3 SCR 497 Statement that interlocutory judgments passed by single judges of Chartered High Courts were appealable under Letters Patent. Cited to show that orders of single judges could ordinarily be appealable under Letters Patent-type provisions (parallel to section 10 of the Delhi High Court Act).
Munshi Ram v. Banwari Lal, (1962) Supp. 2 SCR 477 Illustration of application of provisions of the Code of Civil Procedure to proceedings under the Arbitration Act (example in relation to Order XXIII rule 3 CPC). Supported the proposition that when a provision of the CPC is explicitly applied to proceedings under the Arbitration Act, an order passed in that proceeding is an order "under the Act".
Bhagwanti v. New Bank of India Ltd., AIR 1950 East Punjab 111 (Full Bench) Authority for the proposition that section 141 CPC applies only procedural provisions of the Code to other civil proceedings; substantive rights are not made applicable by section 141. Relied upon to distinguish procedure (s141 CPC) from substantive incorporation (section 41 of the Arbitration Act).
Venkata Reddi v. Ventrapragada Ramabrahman, AIR 1953 Madras 417 Similar support for the limited scope of section 141 CPC (procedure only). Referenced to support the Court's view that section 141 CPC is procedural and does not bring substantive appellate rights into other Acts.
Perivakaraupa Thevar v. Vellai alias Ocha Thevar, AIR 1963 Madras 338 Another decision used to illustrate the limited scope of section 141 CPC. Used as part of authorities showing the distinction between procedure and substantive rights when applying CPC provisions to other statutes.
Rebati Ranjan Chakravarti v. Suranjan Chakravarti, AIR 1963 Calcutta 642 Division Bench view favourable to the proposition that orders in proceedings under the Arbitration Act are treated as orders under the Act (supporting the Court's position). The Court agreed with this Calcutta High Court view that the order under appeal was passed under the Arbitration Act rather than solely under the CPC.
Shri Krishen v. Radha Kishen, AIR 1952 Allahabad 652 Held that section 39's operation was confined to orders made under some express provision of the Arbitration Act and not to orders made under provisions of the CPC as incorporated by section 41. The Court considered and rejected this distinction, finding the Allahabad view inadequate because it ignored that CPC provisions apply by virtue of section 41.
Central Bank of India Ltd. v. Gokal Chand, 1967 DLT 1 Construction that words like "every order ... made under this Act" mean orders affecting rights or liabilities; procedural steps not affecting rights may be excluded. Applied by analogy to show that some orders described as under CPC could nevertheless be appealable under the special Act if they affect rights; supports statutory construction principles discussed.
Jalasutram Annapurnamma v. Jalasutram Ramkrishna Sastry, AIR 1959 Andhra Pradesh 49 Authority that an order for maintenance "in any proceeding under this Act" is a proceeding under that Act even if appeal lies under the CPC; illustrates that appeals may still be proceedings under the special Act. Used to support the proposition that appeals which arise from rights conferred by a special Act are to be regarded as proceedings under that Act.

Court's Reasoning and Analysis

The Court proceeded by analysing (i) what it means for an order to be "passed under" the Arbitration Act, (ii) the effect of section 41 (both clauses (a) and (b)) of the Arbitration Act in making provisions of the Code of Civil Procedure applicable to proceedings under the Act, and (iii) the effect of section 39 of the Arbitration Act which specifies the limited class of orders appealable under that Act.

Key steps in the analysis:

  1. The Court defined "under the Act" to mean an order passed in exercise of powers conferred by some provision of the Arbitration Act or in accordance with a provision of that Act. The mere fact that an application purported to be made under a provision of the Code (Order XXXIX rule 4 & section 151 CPC) does not by itself make the resulting order one passed "under the Code"; the Code provision must apply proprio vigore to those proceedings.
  2. The Court distinguished two routes by which CPC provisions might appear in proceedings connected to arbitration:
    • Section 141 CPC — which makes the procedure of the Code of Civil Procedure applicable to other civil proceedings "as far as it can be made applicable" (a provision of procedural application only); and
    • Section 41 of the Arbitration Act — which expressly applies the "provisions of the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908" to "all proceedings before the Court, and to all appeals, under this Act" (a statutory incorporation by the Arbitration Act itself).
    The Court emphasized that section 141 CPC applies only procedure and does not import substantive rights such as appellate rights; in contrast, section 41 of the Arbitration Act incorporates provisions of the Code into the Arbitration Act (substantively), because they are applied "subject to the provisions of this Act".
  3. The Court analysed section 41(a) and (b): section 41(a) makes provisions of the Code applicable to proceedings under the Act; section 41(b) expressly confers the same powers on the Court "for the purpose of, and in relation to, arbitration proceedings" as it has in ordinary proceedings, and the Second Schedule to the Act includes "Interim injunctions" (broadly understood to include grant, cancellation and variation). Because section 41(b) specifically covers interim injunctions and confers powers co-extensive with the Court's powers in ordinary proceedings, the Court concluded that powers to vary or cancel injunctions are powers conferred by the Arbitration Act when exercised in relation to arbitration proceedings.
  4. The Court rejected the Attorney General's contention that the order was passed under the Code alone: (a) section 141 CPC does not incorporate Order XLIII rule 1 into proceedings under the Arbitration Act; (b) the only provision empowering the Court to vary a previously granted injunction in an arbitration‑related proceeding is section 41(a) or 41(b) of the Arbitration Act (read with the Second Schedule), and those provisions incorporate the relevant Code powers into the Arbitration Act; (c) therefore the order must be regarded as passed under the Arbitration Act rather than solely under the Code.
  5. Because section 41 is itself "subject to the provisions of this Act" and section 39 is a specific provision of the Arbitration Act dealing with appeals from orders passed under the Act, section 39 prevails and governs whether an appeal lies. The Court considered and rejected the Allahabad High Court view (Shri Krishen) that section 39 is confined to orders made under express provisions of the Act and does not extend to orders made under CPC provisions incorporated by section 41. The Court held that provisions of the CPC apply to proceedings under the Arbitration Act only because section 41 makes them applicable, so such orders are properly regarded as orders "under the Act" for the purposes of section 39.
  6. The Court analysed authorities on analogous statutory schemes (e.g., Delhi Rent Control Act and Hindu Marriage Act) and relied on them to illustrate the proper approach to whether an order is "under" a special Act or merely procedural under the Code; the Court relied on decisions (including Central Bank of India Ltd. v. Gokal Chand and Jalasutram Annapurnamma) to support its interpretation that rights of appeal can be rights conferred by the special Act even if the procedural mechanism is furnished by the Code.
  7. On that basis the Court concluded that the order varying the temporary injunction was passed under section 41 of the Arbitration Act (especially section 41(b) in relation to interim injunctions) and therefore was governed by section 39 of the Arbitration Act which prescribes the limited class of appealable orders.
  8. The Court further concluded that an order under the Arbitration Act passed by a court subordinate to the High Court might be subject to revision under section 115 CPC if it is not appealable under section 39, but an order passed by a learned Single Judge of the High Court under the Arbitration Act is either appealable under section 39 or not appealable at all — revision does not lie in respect of such a High Court Single Judge order.

Holding and Implications

Holding: The Court concluded that the order varying the temporary injunction was an order passed under section 41 of the Arbitration Act, 1940, and was therefore governed by section 39 of that Act. Because section 39 prescribes the only orders appealable under the Arbitration Act and the impugned order was not one of them, the appeals were not maintainable.

DISPOSITION: The appeals F.A.O. (OS) Nos. 7 and 8 of 1971 were dismissed on the preliminary ground of non‑maintainability. The connected interlocutory matters (C.M. Nos. 1447 and 1448 of 1971) were also dismissed. The Court made no order as to costs.

Immediate consequences and practical implications drawn from the opinion (as stated by the Court):

  • An order varying or cancelling an interim injunction made in relation to arbitration proceedings and made by a Single Judge of the High Court, where that order is passed by virtue of section 41 of the Arbitration Act, is an order "under the Act" and will be governed by section 39 of the Act with respect to appealability.
  • If such an order is not one of the orders specified in section 39 as appealable, then no appeal lies against it (and the appeals in the present case were therefore dismissed without consideration of the merits).
  • For orders under the Arbitration Act passed by courts subordinate to the High Court, revision under section 115 CPC may remain available where no appeal lies under section 39; but that remedial avenue does not apply to orders passed by a learned Single Judge of the High Court, which are either appealable under section 39 or not appealable at all.
  • The Court made no order as to costs in these appeals and did not proceed to consider the substantive merits because the preliminary question of maintainability was dispositive.

Note: This summary is confined to the statements and holdings contained in the provided opinion. No information beyond that opinion has been added.

    Union Of India & Others Petitioners v. M/S.N.K Pvt. Ltd. & Another S

    V.S Deshpande, J.:— After the dispute arising from a contract between the parties was referred to arbitration by an order passed under section 20 of the Arbitration Act, 1940 (hereinafter called the Act) by this Court, a further order of temporary injunction against the Union of India was passed by a learned Single Judge of this Court. The Union of India then made an application purporting to be under Order XXXIX rule 4 read with section 151 of the Code of Civil Procedure for cancellation or variation of the temporary injunction. On this application, the temporary injunction was modified to some extent by a learned Single Judge of this Court. The union of this India has come up in appeal against the said order with a view to get the temporary injunction vacated or further modified. The appeal has been filed under section 10 of the Delhi High Court Act, 1966 read with Order XLIII rule 1 (i) of the Code of Civil Procedure. The respondents, however, contend that the order appealed against having been passed under the Act but not having been made appealable by section 39 thereof, the appeal is not maintainable.

    The right of appeal is a substantive one and has to be given by some statute expressly or by necessary implication. We have to find out, therefore, the particular provision of law which gives the Union of India the right of appeal. Section 4 (1) of the Code of Civil Procedure enacts that “in the absence of any specific provision to the contrary, nothing in this Code shall be deemed to limit or otherwise affect any special or local law”. Provisions of the Letters Patent of the High Courts have been held to be such “special law”. For instance, clause 36 of the Letters Patent of the High Court of Bombay was held to be applicable in preferences to section 98 of the code to govern an appeal from the original side of the High Court to a third Judge where two Judges had differed. (Bhahidas v. Pai Gulab (1921) 48 I. A. 181) (1). Under sub-section (1) of section 10 of the Delhi High Court Act, “where a single Judge of the High Court of Delhi exercises ordinary original civil jurisdiction conferred by sub-section (2) of section 5 on that Court (i.e, in every suit the value of which exceeds Rs. 50,000) an appeal shall lie from the judgement of the single Judge to a Division Bench of that Court”. Section 10 (1) reproduces the relevant provision of the Letters Patent of those High Courts who have ordinary original civil jurisdiction. Section 104 (1) of the Code of Civil Procedure providing for appeals from orders also saves provision of “any law for the time being in force” relating to such appeals. As observed by the Supreme Court in Union Of India v. Mohindra Supply Co. , (1962) 3 SCR 497 at 512 (2), “Under the Code, as amended, the view has consistently been taken that interlocutory judgment passed by single judge of Chartered High Courts were appealable under the Letters Patent”. The order appealed against would, therefore, have been appealable under section 10 (1) of the Delhi High Court Act, 1966 unless such appeal is barred by section 39 of the Arbitration Act which reads as follows:—
    “39, (1) An appeal shall lie from the following orders passed under this Act (and from no others) to the Court authorised by law to hear appeals from original decrees of the Court passing the orders:—
    An order:—
    (i) superseding an arbitration;
    (ii) on an award stated in the form of a special case;
    (iii) modifying or correcting an award;
    (iv) filling or refusing to file an arbitration agreement;
    (v) staying or refusing to stay legal proceeding where there is an arbitration agreement;
    (vi) setting aside or refusing to set aside an award;
    Provided that the provisions of this section shall not apply to any order passed by a Small Cause Court.
    (2) No second appeal shall lie from an order passed in appeal under this section, but nothing in this section shall affect or take away any right to appeal to the Supreme Court.”
    Section 39 regulates appeals from “orders passed under this Act”. We have to first inquire, therefore, whether the order appealed against was passed under the Act. The meaning of the expression “under the Act” is obvious. It is only an order which is passed in exercise of the power conferred by some provision of the Act or in accordance with some provision of Act or in compliance thereto can be called an order passed under that Act. What is the provision of law under which this particular order was passed ? The application on which the order was passed purported to be under Order XXXIX rule 4 read with section 151 of the Code of Civil Procedure. But this only shows that the Union of India purported to seek the order under these provisions of the Civil Procedure Code. This does not mean that the order must be taken to be passed under those provisions. To be regarded as an order ‘under the Civil Procedure Code’ these provisions of the Code must be applicable proprio vigore to the proceedings in which the order was passed. The proceeding was initiated by an application under section 20 of the Act. It was pending in the sense that the order of reference to arbitration was challenged in an appeal before a Division Bench of this Court and the order in question was passed during the pendency of the appeal. In support of the appeal, learned Attorney General for the Union of India relied upon the provisions of section 41 of the Act which is as below:—
    “41. Subject to the provisions of this Act and of rules made thereunder. —
    (a) the provisions of the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908, shall apply to all proceedings before the Court, and to all appeals, under this Act, and
    (b) the Court shall have, for the purpose of, and in relation to, arbitration proceedings, the same power of making orders in respect of any of the matters set out in the Second Schedule as it has for the purpose of, and in relation to, any proceedings before the Court:
    Provided that nothing in clause (b) shall be taken to prejudice any power which may be vested in an arbitrator or umpire for making orders with respect to any such matters.”
    There was a proceeding before the Court within the meaning of section 41 (a) when this order was passed. Section 141 of the Code of Civil Procedure applies the procedure provided in the Code of proceeding in any Court of Civil jurisdiction. Section 41 (a) of the Act applies the provision of the Code of Civil Procedure to proceedings before the Court and to appeals “under this Act”. While the proceeding under section 20 of the Act was a proceeding in a court of civil jurisdiction within the meaning of section 141 Civil Procedure Code it was nevertheless a proceeding “under this Act”, namely, the Arbitration Act, within the meaning of section 41 (a) of the Act. When, therefore, a provision of civil Procedure Code applies to a proceeding before the Court “under the Arbitration Act” (as was held for instance, in Munshi Ram v. Banwari Lal, (1962) Supp. 2 SCR 477, (3) in relation to Order XXIII rule 3 Civil Procedure Code) an order passed in such a proceeding would be an order passed in a proceeding which is before the Court “under the Act” and, therefore, the order itself would be “under the Act”. section 141 Civil Procedure Code applies only “the procedure” under the Code to other proceedings in a court of civil jurisdiction. The right of appeal and other substantive rights and powers dealt with by the Civil Procedure Code are not regarded as mere procedure and are not, therefore, made applicable by section 141. Bhagwanti v. New Bank of India Ltd. AIR 1950 East Punjab 111 (FB) at 118, (4) Venkata Reddi v. Ventrapragada Ramabrahman, AIR 1953 Madras 417, (5) and Perivakaraupa Thevar v. Vellai alias Ocha Thevar, AIR 1963 madras 338 (6). section 41 (a) of the arbitration act, on the other hand, applies all the “provisions of the Code of Civil Procedure” to proceedings under the Act. Even it is assumed that the provisions of Order XLIII rule 1 (r) of the Civil Procedure Code giving a right of appeal against an order passed under Order XXXIX rule 4 Civil Procedure Code are thereby made applicable to the order under appeal, section 41 (a) of the Act is itself subject to section 39 of the Act. Before considering the effect of section 39, we may complete our examination of section 41 of the Act.
    section 41 (b) confers on the Court “for the purpose of and in relation to any proceedings before the Court” the same power of making orders in respect of any of the matters set out in the Second Schedule. One of the matters set out in the Second Schedule is “Interim injunctions”. The title “Interim injunctions” is like an Entry in a List in the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution. It only indicates the field of operation. It is not exhaustive as a description of the subject-matter of power. The title “Interim injunctions” must, therefore, include not only the grant of interim injunctions but also the cancellation or variation thereof. Its scope is, therefore, co-terminus with the scope of not only rule 2 but also of rule 4 of Order XXXIX Civil Procedure Code. section 41 (b) is wider than section 41 (a). It applies even though there may be no proceeding before the Court provided that the order is made for the purpose of and in relation to any arbitration proceeding. It specifically gives the power to make orders regarding interim injunctions. This special provision would prevail against the general provisions of section 41 (a) in respect of interim injunctions. The order under appeal is, therefore, better understood as an order passed by virtue of section 41 (b) rather than of section 41 (a) of the Act.
    Learned Attorney General contended that the order under appeal is passed under the Code of Civil Procedure and not under the Act because the provisions of Order XLIII rule 1 Civil Procedure Code and not those of the Arbitration Act enabled the filling of this appeal. This argument is, however, unacceptable for several reasons. Firstly, section 141 Civil Procedure Code does not apply Order XLIII rule 1 (r) to the proceedings under the Act. It cannot be said, therefore, that an order varying a temporary injunction could be appealed against solely under the Code of Civil Procedure and independently of the Act. Secondly, the only possible provision which could empower the Court in a proceeding under the Act or for the purpose of and in relation to an arbitration proceeding to vary a previous order of temporary injunction is either Section 41 (a) or section 41 (b) read with the Second Schedule of the Act. The references to the relevant provisions of the Code of Civil Procedure in section 41 (a) of the Act incorporate those provisions in the Arbitration Act, they become applicable to proceedings before the Court firstly because the proceeding itself is “under this Act” as expressly stated by section 41 (a). Secondly, the said provisions become applicable by virtue of the Act and not by virtue of the Code of Civil Procedure. Even if the Civil Procedure Code of 1908 is repealed, still its provisions incorporated in section 41 (a) of the Act shall continue to apply to the proceedings before the Court under the Act. On the other hand, if section 41 is itself repealed, then the very basis for the application of the provisions of the Civil Procedure Code would disappear and they would become inapplicable except under section 141 Civil Procedure Code. Judged by this test, the order must be regarded as having been passed in exercise of the power conferred by section 41 (a) and not in exercise of the power conferred by the Code of Civil Procedure.
    section 41 (b) does not refer to the Code of Civil Procedure but refers to “the same power..... as the Court has for the purpose of, and in relation to, any proceedings before the Court”. These powers include the powers conferred by the Code of Civil Procedure and, therefore, the power of varying a temporary injunction specially. This provision also, therefore, incorporates those powers in the Arbitration Act. The order varying the temporary injunction, therefore, was passed under section 41 (b) and not under the code of Civil Procedure for the same reasons given in considering section 41 (a) above.
    The Legislature has applied the provisions of the Code of Civil Procedure to proceedings under different Acts. This result has, however, come about because of the express provisions contained in those Acts rather than by virtue of section 141 of the code. for, section 141 makes the procedure of the Code applicable only “as far as it can be made applicable”. Section 141 would not, therefore, prevail against a contrary provision of the particular Act concerned.
    Section 39 of the Act was held to be such a contrary provision in Union of India v. Mohindra Supply Company. (2) It also prevails over section 41 of the Act because section 41 itself opens with the worlds “subject to the provisions of this Act”, section 39 being such a provision to which section 41 is subject.
    In Shri Krishen v. Radha Kishen, AIR 1952 Allahabad 652, (7) relying upon an earlier Full Bench decision of that Court, a view was expressed that the operation of section 39 of the Act was confined only to orders which were made under some express provision of the Act and did not extend to those orders which are made under the provisions of the Code of Civil Procedure which in a sense are incorporated in the Arbitration Act by section 41 of the said Act. The distinction made between the provisions of the Act and the provision of the Code of Civil Procedure by the Allahabad High Court fails to consider the real source of authority conferred on the Court for the application of the provisions of the Code of Civil Procedure. They are not applicable by their own force. They are made applicable only by section 41 of the Act. The test of incorporation was rejected by the learned Judges without sufficient reason. In our view, that test is decisive. For, even if the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908, were to be repealed the Courts would still be authorised to apply the provisions of that Code and this could be done only because of the authority conferred on the Court by section 41 of the Act. If, on the other hand, section 41 of the Act were to be repealed, the provisions relating to appeals under Order XLIII would not be applicable by virtue of section 141 Civil Procedure Code which is restricted only to procedure. We are, therefore, still of the view that the order under appeal is passed under the Arbitration Act and not under the Code of Civil Procedure. We find ourselves in agreement in this respect with the view of a Division Bench of the Calcutta High Court in Rebati Ranjan Chakravarti v. Suranjan Chakravarti AIR 1963 Calcutta 642 (8).
    Section 38 (1) of the Delhi Rent Control Act, 1958 gives a right of appeal against “every order of the Controller made under this Act”. Under section 37 (2) of the said Act, the Controller has to follow, as far as may be, the practice and procedure of a Court of Small Causes. The same distinction between orders passed under the express provisions of the Delhi Rent Control Act, 1958 and under the provisions of the Code of Civil Procedure made applicable by section 37 (2) thereof could also have been made on the lines of the reasoning of the Allahabad decision referred to above. But this was not how the Supreme Court viewed the matter. In Central Bank of India Ltd. v. Gokal Chand, 1967 Delhi Law Times 1, (9) in paragraph 3 of the decision, their Lordships, on the other hand, construed the words “every order of the Controller made under this Act” to signify only those orders which affect the rights or liabilities of the parties so that the right of appeal is restricted only to such orders and is not extended to merely procedural orders which are only steps taken towards the final adjudication. It is clear that many orders which could be described as passed under the provision of the Civil Procedure Code and not under any express provision of the Delhi Rent Control Act, 1958 could be appealed against as affecting the rights or liabilities of the parties. But the appeal could be filed only under section 38 of the said Act and not under any provision of the Code of Civil Procedure.
    Under section 24 Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 an order for maintenance pendente lite can be passed by the Court “in any proceeding under this Act”. In Jalasutram Annapurnamma v. Jalasutram Ramkrishna Sastry, AIR 1959 Andhra Pradesh 49, (10) it was contended that the word “proceeding” in section 24 must be confined to the original proceeding on the ground that the original proceeding is the one under the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 whereas an appeal against the order in that proceeding is a proceeding under the Civil Procedure Code inasmuch as under section 28 of the said Act orders made in any proceeding under the Act “may be appealed from under any law for the time being in force”. Repelling this contention, Subba Rao C.J speaking for the division Bench observed as follows —
    “It is true that section 28 confers a right of appeal by reference to any law. But nonetheless, but for section 28, the aggrieved party cannot have a right of appeal against an order of dissolution of marriage or other orders under the Act.
    The right of appeal is one conferred under the Act and, therefore, it is a proceeding under the Act...... The fact that an appeal lies under the Civil Procedure Code against an order in a proceeding under the Act, will not make the appeal any-the-less a proceeding under the Act, for, the appeal also relates to the adjudication in respect of the rights conferred under the Act”.
    Our conclusions are, therefore, as follows:—
    (1) The order varying temporary injunction passed by the learned Single Judge was prima facie a “judgment” within the meaning of section 10 of the Delhi High Court Act, 1966, and an appeal would ordinarily have been competent thereunder to a Division Bench of this Court.
    (2) This right of appeal under the general law was, however, subject to the special law namely, section 39 of the Arbitration Act, which has an appeal from such an order altogether.
    (3) No right of appeal against the said order was available under the “procedure” contained in the Code of Civil Procedure made applicable by section 141 of the said Code.
    (4) The order under appeal was passed under section 41 of the Arbitration Act and was thus governed by section 39 of the said Act. It was not passed outside the Act and under the Code of Civil Procedure alone.
    (5) An order under the Arbitration Act passed by a court subordinate to the High Court would be amenable to revision under the section 115 of the Code of Civil Procedure if it is not appealable under section 39 of the Arbitration Act. But an order passed by a learned Single Judge of this Court under the Arbitration Act is either appealable under section 39 of the said Act or is not appealable at all. The question of revision does not arise.
    In view of the above conclusions, we find that the present appeals, namely, F.A.O (OS) 7 and 8 of 1971, are not maintainable. They are, therefore, dismissed on this preliminary ground alone which precludes us from going into the merits of the appeals. In the circumstances we make no order as to costs.
    As the appeals themselves are not maintainable C.M Nos. 1447 and 1448 of 1971 are dismissed.
    Appeals dismissed.
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    Union Of India & Others Petitioners v. M/S.N.K Pvt. Ltd. & Another S
    (Dec 17, 1971)