ORDER :

1. These are applications filed under Section 29A of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act,1996 (for short 'the Act') whereby the petitioner has prayed that the mandate of the arbitral tribunal be extended for a period of six months, for the arbitral tribunal to conclude the arbitral proceedings and make an award. The following are the prayers as made in the petitions:

“(a) that this Hon'ble Court be pleased to extend the time period for making the award in the arbitration proceedings pending between the Petitioner and Respondent before the learned Sole Arbitrator Mr.Justice F.I.Rebello (Retd.) by a period of 6 (six) months or for such other period, from August 20, 2019, as this Hon'ble Court deems fit; and

(b) for such other and further reliefs as this Hon'ble Court deems just and proper in the nature and circumstances of the present case.”

2. At the outset it may be observed that the arbitration in question is an international commercial arbitration. The Supreme Court by an order dated 9 August 2017 passed under Section 11(5) of the Act was pleased to appoint an arbitral tribunal. The said order reads as under:

“1. We have heard the learned Senior Counsel appearing for the part