Legal Heirs Must Challenge Arbitral Awards Only Under Section 34 & Not Under Art 227, Clarifies Supreme Court

The Supreme Court held that legal representatives of a deceased party can challenge an arbitral award only under Section 34 of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996, and not by invoking Article 227 of the Constitution.

The Court affirmed that the Arbitration Act is a self-contained code, providing a specific remedy for setting aside awards.

It observed that denying legal heirs the right to challenge under Section 34 would leave them remediless while still binding them to the award.

Accordingly, the Court upheld the High Court’s decision directing the petitioner to avail the statutory remedy under Section 34, dismissing the Article 227 petition.

[V K John. v. S. Mukanchand Bothra & HUF]