MINISTRY OF HEALTH & FAMILY WELFARE vs NAGARJUNA CONSTRUCTION LTD.

Judgment text excerpt

$~J * IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI Judgment reserved on: 16.12.2025 Judgment pronounced on: 09.04.2026 + O.M.P. (COMM) 337/2017 MINISTRY OF HEALTH & FAMILY WELFARE ...Petitioner Through: Ms. Pratima N Lakra(CGSC), Ms. Kanchan Shakya, Mr. Shailendra kumar Mishra, Mr. Chanakya Kene, Ms. Mansi, Advs. versus NAGARJUNA CONSTRUCTION LTD. ...Respondent Through: Dr. Amit George, Ms. Rupam Jha, Mr. Adhishwar Suri, Ms. Ibansara Syiemlieh, Mr. Dushyant Kishan Kaul, Mr. Vaibhav Gandhi, Ms. Medhavi Bhatia, Mr. Kartikay Puneesh, Mr. Bhrighu Pamidighantam, Advs. CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE JASMEET SINGH JUDGMENT 1. This is a petition filed under Section 34 of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996, (“the Act”) seeking to challenge the Arbitral Award dated 08.05.2017 (“Award”) passed by the learned Sole Arbitrator in the matter of “M/s Nagarjuna Construction Ltd. v. Ministry Of Health & Family Welfare”. Digitally Signed By:MAYANK Signing Date:09.04.2026O.M.P. (COMM) 337/2017 Page 1 of 82 18:31:43 FACTUAL BACKGROUND 2. The petitioner, namely Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (respondent in the Arbitral Proceedings) invited bids for the execution of the works of construction of medical college and hostel complex at AIIMS, Bhopal. 3. The contract was awarded vide a letter of notification dated 13.04.2010, to the respondent company namely NCC Limited, formerly known as M/s Nagarjuna Construction Co. Ltd. (Claimant in the Arbitral Proceedings) for the works including preparing designs and construction of Medical College & Hostel Complex at AIIMS, Bhopal, Package-I. 4. Pursuant thereto, a contract with value of Rs. 147,89,73,233/- was executed between the parties on 21.05.2010 (“Contract”), with scheduled completion period of project being 15 months i.e., from 27.05.2010 to 2