Article 142 relief can secure payment with interest despite the bar on modifying arbitral awards under Sections 34 and 37.

Prolonged non-payment of an arbitral award and exceptional circumstances may justify the Supreme Court's use of Article 142 to mould relief and secure complete justice. Although courts exercising jurisdiction under Sections 34 and 37 of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 cannot modify an arbitral award, the Court may intervene to direct payment of the awarded sum with simple interest where the dispute has remained unresolved for years and equitable considerations warrant finality.

---

---

Issues: Whether the appellant was entitled to moulded relief directing payment of the awarded amount with simple interest under Article 142 of the Constitution of India despite the settled position that courts exercising jurisdiction under Sections 34 and 37 of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 cannot modify an arbitral award.

Analysis: The amount awarded in favour of the appellant had remained unpaid for years, and the litigation had already continued for an inordinately long period. In view of the appellant's advanced age and the prolonged non-payment, the Court found it appropriate to exercise its extraordinary powers to bring the dispute to an end. The Court therefore directed payment of the awarded sum with simple interest, while modifying the impugned judgment to that extent.

Conclusion: The appellant was held entitled to the awarded amount with simple interest at 12% per annum from 27 September 2013, and the relief granted by the impugned judgment was modified accordingly.

Final Conclusion: The appeals succeeded and the appellant obtained enhanced monetary relief on equitable terms under Article 142.

Ratio Decidendi: Where prolonged non-payment and exceptional circumstances justify intervention, the Court may invoke Article 142 to mould relief and secure complete justice, even though modification of an arbitral award is not permitted in proceedings under Sections 34 and 37 of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996.

---