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Interpretation of the term "signed copy of the award" under section 14(2) of the Arbitration Act, No. 10 of 1940. Analysis: The case involves a dispute arising from an arbitration award related to a contract for the construction of highway bridges between the appellant and the Union of India. The main issue revolves around the interpretation of the term "signed copy of the award" as per section 14(2) of the Arbitration Act, No. 10 of 1940. The appellant petitioned the court to direct the umpire to file the award or a signed copy, along with any relevant documents, in court, as per sections 14 and 17 of the Act. The Subordinate Judge initially dismissed the application under section 17, stating that the document filed was neither the original award nor a signed copy. The High Court upheld this decision, emphasizing that the document presented was not a signed copy of the award. The appellant argued that the document should be considered a signed copy, enabling further proceedings under section 17. The Supreme Court delved into the definition of a "copy" as per the Indian Evidence Act and established that a copy must be an accurate reproduction of the original. It further analyzed the term "sign" in the context of a "signed copy," emphasizing that the signature authenticates the accuracy of the document. Referring to legal precedents, the Court concluded that the presence of the umpire's signature on the reproduced award constituted a signed copy, regardless of additional certification language. The Court determined that the document filed by the umpire, containing a reproduced award with the umpire's signature, qualified as a signed copy as required by section 14(2) of the Act. The Court overturned the decisions of the lower courts, allowing the appeal and directing further proceedings based on the signed copy of the award. The judgment clarified the interpretation of a signed copy in arbitration proceedings, emphasizing the importance of authenticity and accuracy in reproducing the original award. Overall, the Supreme Court's judgment focused on the technical interpretation of legal terminology within the Arbitration Act, emphasizing the significance of a signed copy in arbitration proceedings and establishing a clear precedent for future cases involving similar disputes over the validity of arbitration awards.
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