JUDGMENT

(Prayer: Original Petition filed under Section 34 of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996, to set aside the impugned award dated 27.05.2013 passed in Arbitration Case No.R/SF/32 of 2007 and served on the petitioner on 30.05.2013.)

1. Mr. Manoj Sreevalsan, learned counsel on record for petitioner is before this Court.

2. PREFATORY NOTE:

2(i) Instant 'Original Petition' ('OP' for the sake of brevity) has been filed under Section 34 of 'The Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996' (Act No.26 of 1996)', which shall hereinafter be referred to as 'A and C Act' for the sake of brevity and it has been filed assailing an arbitral award dated 27.05.2013 made by an Arbitral Tribunal constituted by a sole Arbitrator qua a 'Hire Purchase agreement dated 06.02.1998 bearing HP Con.No.RP3347' (hereinafter 'said contract' for the sake of brevity, clarity and convenience). One covenant in said contract is an arbitration clause and therefore, the same serves as 'arbitration agreement' between the parties being 'arbitration agreement' within the meaning of Section 2(1)(b) read with Section 7 of A and C Act.

2(ii) Challenge to an arbitral award under Section 34 of A and C Act, going by the lan