JUDGMENT

G.P. Mathur, J. — Leave granted.

2. This appeal, by special leave, has been filed against the judgment and order dated 9.9.2005 of a Division Bench of Andhra Pradesh High Court by which the writ petition filed by the appellant herein The Indian Iron and Steel Co. Ltd. was dismissed. The writ petition was filed assailing the order dated 27.12.2004 of Chief Judge, City Civil Courts, Hyderabad (designated authority) by which the petition filed by the respondent M/s. Tiwari Road Lines was allowed and a retired judicial officer was appointed as sole arbitrator to decide the dispute between the parties.

3. The appellant The Indian Iron and Steel Co. Ltd., having its registered office at Kolkata, invited tenders on 17.2.2003 for transportation of pig iron and steel material from Burnpur/Kolkata stockyard to different customer locations in various parts of the country. The tender submitted by the respondent M/s. Tiwari Road Lines was accepted and a letter was issued on 14.5.2003 awarding the contract to the respondent to transport the material with effect from 17.5.2003 for a period of two years. The tender was submitted by the respondent at the Head Office of the company at Kolkata