M/S ANJ VC JV vs NATIONAL HIGHWAYS AUTHORITY OF INDIA

Judgment text excerpt

$~35 * IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI Date of decision: 20.04.2026 + O.M.P.(MISC.)(COMM.) 327/2026 M/S ANJ VC JV .....Petitioner Through: Mr. S.K. Maniktala, Mr. Udit Maniktala, Mr. Mohit Sharma, Mr. Mohit Singh, Ms. Anju Katoch and Mr. Yudit Bhardwaj, Advocates. versus NATIONAL HIGHWAYS AUTHORITY OF INDIA .....Respondent Through: Mr. Subash Bhat and Ms. Lisha Chauhan, Advocates. CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE HARISH VAIDYANATHAN SHANKAR % JUDGEMENT (Oral) 1. The present Petition has been filed under Section 29A(4) of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 19961, seeking extension of the time of mandate of the learned Sole Arbitrator, appointed vide Order dated 03.07.2023, in case being ARB.P. 1460/2022, up to 31.03.2027. 2. The material on record indicates that the parties entered into a Contract dated 08.08.20182. Subsequently, since disputes arose between the parties, the Petitioner invoked Arbitration as per the terms of the Agreement, vide Notice dated 28.10.2022 and thereafter preferred a Petition under Section 11 of the Act before this Court. 1 Act 2 Agreement Signature Not Verified Digitally Signed By:NEERU O.M.P.(MISC.)(COMM.) 327/2026 Signing Date:21.04.2026 Page 1 of 4 17:28:44 3. Accordingly, it is submitted that vide Order dated 03.07.2023, a learned Sole Arbitrator was appointed. Subsequently, the pleadings were completed on 16.05.2024. Thereafter, evidence has been led by the parties. The cross-examination of the claimant’s witness has been concluded, and the matter is presently at the stage of cross- examination of the respondent’s witness. 4. In terms of Section 29A(1) of the Act, the arbitral award was required to be rendered within the statutorily prescribed period. Upon expiry thereof, the parties approached this Court earlier by way of O.M.P. (M