New grounds cannot be added in arbitration appeal to challenge the original award

The Supreme Court (SC) last week dismissed the appeal of Maharashtra against the order of the Bombay high court in an arbitration dispute with Hindustan Construction Company Ltd. The company was given Stage IV of the Koyna Hydro Electric Project and differences arose over the amounts due and other issues. The disputes were referred to arbitration under the Arbitration and Conciliation Act. The award was against the state and told to pay Rs 17 crore with interest. The government’s appeal was dismissed by the Ratnagiri district judge. It moved the high court, with additional grounds for opposi...