M/S Ajay Protech Pvt. Ltd vs General Manager

The Supreme Court ruled that under Section 29A(4) of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996, the High Court has the jurisdiction to extend the mandate of the Arbitral Tribunal if sufficient cause is shown. The Court found that the COVID-19 pandemic constituted sufficient cause for extending the period for making the award, thereby allowing the appellant's appeal and extending the deadline to December 31, 2024. The judgment clarifies the interpretation of 'sufficient cause' in the context of arbitration timelines.