The nature of the function of the Chief Justice or his designate under Section of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act is the question that is posed before us The three ... judges bench decision in Konkan Rly Corpn Ltd Vs Mehul Construction Co SCC as approved by the Constitution Bench in Konkan Railway Corpn Ltd anr Vs Rani Construction Pvt Ltd SCC has taken the view that it is purely an administrative function that it is neither judicial nor quasi-judicial and the Chief Justice or his nominee performing the function under Section of the Act cannot decide any contentious issue between the parties The correctness of the said view is questioned in these appeals