Reasoned arbitral awards under Telegraph Act disputes are required to enable judicial review and fairness.

An arbitrator deciding a dispute under Section 7B of the Indian Telegraph Act must give reasons in support of the award. The statutory arbitration is final and conclusive, and the only effective challenge lies in judicial review under Article 226, so the determination affects civil rights and must disclose the basis of the conclusion. Reasons are required to show application of mind, permit meaningful judicial review, and satisfy fairness where public law elements are involved. A non-speaking award was therefore liable to be set aside and the matter remitted for a reasoned decision.

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Issues: Whether an arbitrator deciding a dispute under Section 7B of the Indian Telegraph Act must give reasons in support of the award.

Analysis: Section 7B provides a statutory arbitration mechanism for telegraph disputes, and the award is made conclusive and not questionable in any court. Because the decision is final and the only effective challenge lies in judicial review under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, the arbitral determination affects civil rights and must disclose the basis of the conclusion. Reasons are necessary to show application of mind, to enable meaningful judicial review, and to satisfy the requirements of fairness where public law elements are involved.

Conclusion: Yes. An arbitrator under Section 7B is required to give reasons in support of the award. The non-speaking award was liable to be set aside and the matter remitted for a reasoned decision.

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