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Patiala Kashmir Roadways Pvt Ltd vs. Robbins Tunneling and Trenchless Technology India Pvt Ltd

Original Miscellaneous Petition (Miscellaneous, Commercial) · 2026:DHC:8230Decided 23 Sept 2026New Delhi Bench
O.M.P.(MISC.)(COMM.) 752/2026CNR: DLHC010455012026
Justice Om Prakash Shukla

Background

Patiala Kashmir Roadways sought extension of the mandate of a retired judge (Mr. Justice S. Muralidhar) who had been appointed as sole arbitrator in 2023 to decide disputes between the company and Robbins Tunneling and Trenchless Technology India, under Section 29A of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act (which caps how long an arbitration can run without a court-granted extension).

Decision Breakdown

The respondent had no objection to extending the arbitrator's mandate. Considering the stage the arbitration had reached, the Court allowed the petition, extending the arbitrator's mandate for a further one year from 6 September 2026, and regularised the period that had elapsed since the earlier mandate technically expired.

Lesson Learnt

Arbitration proceedings in India operate under statutory time limits (Section 29A), and parties must proactively approach the court for an extension if the arbitration is not finished in time: otherwise the arbitrator's authority to decide the case can lapse.

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