August 27, 2026
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This judgment rendered by the Delhi High Court under Sections 29A(4) and 29A(5) of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996, addresses a petition for extending the mandate of the Sole Arbitrator, Hon’ble Mr. Justice Vipin Sanghi (Former Chief Justice of the Uttarakhand High Court). The petitioner explained that the delay occurred due to the demise of its General Power of Attorney holder followed by the serious medical condition of its authorized representative, while the proceedings themselves had reached the stage of final arguments. With the respondents expressing no objection and the Court finding sufficient cause established—including the legal scope to extend the mandate even after its expiry—the High Court allowed the petition, extended the mandate by 6 months with effect from June 30, 2026, and regularized the intervening period.
- Statutory Provision: The petition was filed under Sections 29A(4) and 29A(5) of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996, seeking an enlargement of the Sole Arbitrator’s mandate.
- Grounds for Delay: Prolonged delays were attributed to unavoidable personal and medical emergencies, specifically the death of the petitioner’s GPA holder and subsequent critical health issues faced by its authorized representative.
- Current Status of Proceedings: The arbitration proceedings are currently advanced and standing at the final arguments stage.
- Consent of Respondents: Counsel appearing for the respondents submitted that they had no objection to the extension of the learned Sole Arbitrator’s mandate.
- Legal Position & Court Order:
- Reaffirming that the court’s jurisdiction under Section 29A permits enlarging an arbitral tribunal’s mandate even post-expiry upon showing sufficient cause, the Court noted that valid grounds were established.
- The mandate of Hon’ble Mr. Justice Vipin Sanghi was extended for a further period of 6 months effective from June 30, 2026.
- The interim period running from June 30, 2026, up to the date of the order was officially regularized.
2026 DHC 7025
M/S Chabbras Associates v. M/S HSCC (India) Limited & Anr. (D.O.J. 21.08.2026)
2026 DHC 7025 click here to view full text of judgment