SUNLIGHT PROJECT PVT LTD vs DELHI DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY

Judgment text excerpt

$~J * IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI Judgment reserved on: 06.08.2025 Judgment pronounced on: 11.11.2025 + O.M.P. (COMM) 42/2021, I.A. 1681/2021 SUNLIGHT PROJECT PVT LTD ………Petitioner Through: Mr. Amit Khemka, Ms. Himani Singh, Advs. versus DELHI DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY ………Respondent Through: Mr. Vaibhav Agnihotri, ASC, DDA, Mr. Vidit Pratap Singh, Adv. and Mr.Ankit Singh, Adv. CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE JASMEET SINGH JUDGMENT 1. This is a petition filed under Section 34 of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 (“1996 Act”) seeking to set aside the Arbitral Award dated 14.09.2020 passed in the arbitration proceedings titled as “M/s Sunlight Project Pvt. Ltd. vs. Delhi Development Authority”, wherein the Sole Arbitrator rejected all the claims of the petitioner. FACTUAL BACKGROUND 2. The petitioner i.e., Sunlight Projects Pvt. Ltd., incorporated and registered under the Companies Act, 1956, is engaged in real estate business. O.M.P. (COMM) 42/2021 Page 1 of 44 Digitally Signed By:MAYANK Signing Date:11.11.2025 16:12:30 3. The respondent i.e., Delhi Development Authority (“DDA”) is a statutory authority established under the Delhi Development Act, 1957. 4. The respondent through an open auction advertised for sale of plots located at Sector 20, Part II, Dwarka, New Delhi, including commercial Plot No. 8, Service Centre, Sector 20, Part II, Dwarka, New Delhi (“the subject plot”). The petitioner participated in the same and tendered its bid for a total amount of Rs. 17.51 crores for the subject plot. 5. On 16.01.2007, the Auction (“Auction”) was conducted and the petitioner emerged as the successful bidder. The General Terms and Conditions of the Auction contained an arbitration clause being Clause No. 8, which reads as under:- “8. PROVISION FOR SETTLEMENT OF DI