IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM PRESENT : THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE V.GIRI WEDNESDAY, THE 10TH DECEMBER 2008 / 19TH AGRAHAYANA 1930 WP(C).No. 34755 of 2008(K) -------------------------- PETITIONER(S): --------------- U.S.SREEMON, KODATH HOUSE, CHOWARA P.O., ALUVA, ERNAKULAM DISTRICT. BY ADV. SRI.VARGHESE.J.PUNNACHALIL RESPONDENT(S): --------------- 1. UNION OF INDIA, REP. BY SECRETARY TO THE GOVERNMENT, MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS, NEW DELHI. 2. THE GENERAL MANAGER, SOUTHERN RAILWAY, CHENNAI. 3. DEPUTY CHIEF MECHANICAL ENGINEER/ CARRIAGE & WAGON/HQRS, HEAD QUARTERS OFFICE, MECHANICAL BRANCH, CHENNAI - 600 003. 4. P.S.KHAIRKAR, SENIOR DIVISIONAL MECHANICAL ENGINEER/PALAKKAD, SOUTHERN RAILWAY, PALAKKAD. ADV. SRI.N.B.SUNIL NATH,SC, RAILWAYS FOR R1-3 THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 10/12/2008, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: V.GIRI, J ------------------- W.P.(C).34755/2008 -------------------- Dated this the 10th day of December, 2008 JUDGMENT Petitioner was awarded a contract for cleaning Railway coaches for the period from May 2004 to November 2004. There arose a dispute in the course of working of the contract and the same was referred to the sole Arbitrator, the fourth respondent, the Senior Divisional Mechanical Engineer, Southern Railway station at Palakkad. Petitioner is aggrieved by the delay in the completion of the proceedings before the arbitrator. 2. Statement filed by the learned Standing Counsel for the Railways affirms the appointment of the fourth respondent as the sole Arbitrator. But it is stated that the delay in the completion of the proceedings is attributable to the petitioner, who is yet to file a claim statement. 3. In the facts and circumstances of the case, if the W.P.(C).34755/2008 2 petitioner files a claim statement within one month from today, the Arbitrator shall proceed to pass an Award within nine months from the date of receipt of a copy of this judgment. Writ petition is disposed of as above. V.GIRI, Judge mrcs