RAJESH GURALMAL NAGPAL vs RGA FRESH FRUIT PVT LTD & ANR.

Judgment text excerpt

$~34 * IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI Date of decision: 20.04.2026 + O.M.P.(MISC.)(COMM.) 326/2026 RAJESH GURALMAL NAGPAL .....Petitioner Through: Mr. Shubhankar Jha, Advocate. versus RGA FRESH FRUIT PVT LTD & ANR. .....Respondents Through: Ms. Richa Sharma, Ms. Ritu Janjani and Mr. Nishant Shishodia, Advocates. CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE HARISH VAIDYANATHAN SHANKAR % JUDGEMENT (Oral) 1. The present Petition, under Section 29(A) of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 [“the Act”], read with Section 151 of the Civil Procedure Code, 1908, has been filed seeking extension of the time of mandate of the learned Sole Arbitrator, which expired on 15.04.2026. 2. The material on record indicates that the parties entered into a Settlement Agreement [“Agreement”] on 18.02.2022, which contains an arbitration clause. 3. Upon disputes having arisen, the Petitioner invoked Arbitration vide notice dated 21.11.2022. However, the parties could not arrive at a consensus with respect to the appointment of a Sole Arbitrator. Hence, the Petitioner approached this Court under section 11(6) of the Signature Not Verified Digitally Signed By:NEERU O.M.P.(MISC.)(COMM.) 326/2026 Signing Date:21.04.2026 Page 1 of 5 17:22:11 Act. 4. This Court vide Order dated 08.01.2024, appointed a learned Sole Arbitrator to adjudicate the dispute between the parties. 5. It is stated that the pleadings in the arbitral proceedings stood concluded on 28.09.2024. The proceedings have progressed substantially, and evidence has been led by both sides. The matter is presently at an advanced stage, including adjudication of the counter- claims. 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, by