SATWANT SINGH SODHI vs STATE OF PUNJAB — C.A. No. 1743/1999

Case Summary: Satwant Singh Sodhi v. State of Punjab Decision: The Supreme Court allowed the petitioner's appeal, reversing the High Court's decision and restoring the trial court's order. The Court held that the arbitrator's award dated November 26, 1992, on Item No.1 became final and binding upon making and signing, even without prior notice to parties. Once signed, the arbitrator became *functus officio* and could not revise it in the subsequent January 28, 1994 award. Key Reasoning: Under Section 14 of the Arbitration Act, 1940, an award becomes complete and final when made and signed by the arbitrator. Notice to parties and delivery are separate procedural steps not essential to the award's validity. The arbitrator cannot supersede a signed award by treating it as "interim" without explicit language indicating temporary status. This case analysis is maintained by casestatus.in based on publicly available court records.