Vibhu Bakhru, J.

1. These petitions are filed under Section 34 of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 (hereafter ‘the Act’) impugning an arbitral award dated 23.01.2017 (hereafter ‘the impugned award’) passed by the sole arbitrator, Justice R.C. Chopra (Retired).

2. The impugned award was rendered in the context of disputes that had arisen in respect of loans - ten in number - advanced by S.E. Investments Ltd. (hereafter ‘SEIL’) to Smt. Shakuntla Educational and Welfare Society (hereafter ‘the Society’). M/s Galgotias Hotels & Resorts Private Limited, M/s Galgotia Publications Private Limited, Sh. Suneel Galgotia and Smt. Padmini Galgotia had agreed to be jointly and severally liable along with the Society for repayment of the loans, interest and late fees in terms of the loan agreements. Sh. Dhruv Galgotia also guaranteed one of the loans (that is, loan no. LD2926). The aforementioned two companies and the three individuals are hereafter collectively referred to as ‘the Guarantors’; the said expression would exclude Sh. Dhruv Galgotia when used in the context