IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI
Sanjeev Sachdeva, J.
Tata Capital Financial Services Ltd. - Appellant
Versus
Abhijit Mishra - Respondent
Arbitration Petition No. 1218 of 2021
Decided On : 31-03-2022
Exemption - Court's Decision on Various Applications - The court allowed one application, dismissed another as infructuous, and dismissed a third application as withdrawn. It also dismissed an application under Section 340 Cr. P.C, stating that the contentions raised were pertaining to the merits of the matter to be adjudicated by the arbitral tribunal and not germane for the arbitral proceedings. Additionally, the court allowed a petition and referred the disputes to the Delhi International Arbitration Centre for arbitration.
Fact of the Case:
The court considered various applications, including an application under Section 340 Cr. P.C and a petition seeking appointment of an arbitrator to adjudicate disputes between the parties.
Finding of the Court:
The court allowed one application, dismissed another as infructuous, dismissed a third application as withdrawn, and dismissed an application under Section 340 Cr. P.C. It also allowed a petition and referred the disputes to the Delhi International Arbitration Centre for arbitration.
Issues: Consideration of various applications, including an application under Section 340 Cr. P.C and a petition seeking appointment of an arbitrator.
Ratio Decidendi: The court dismissed the application under Section 340 Cr. P.C, stating that the contentions raised were pertaining to the merits of the matter to be adjudicated by the arbitral tribunal and not germane for the arbitral proceedings. Additionally, the court allowed a petition and referred the disputes to the Delhi International Arbitration Centre for arbitration.
Final Decision: The court allowed one application, dismissed another as infructuous, dismissed a third application as withdrawn, and dismissed an application under Section 340 Cr. P.C. It also allowed a petition and referred the disputes to the Delhi International Arbitration Centre for arbitration.
JUDGMENT
Sanjeev Sachdeva, J. - I.a. 1653/2022 (Exemption)
allowed, subject to all just exceptions.
I.a. 1651/2022 (interim dir)
1. The applicant/respondent submits that the application has become infructuous.
2. accordingly, the application is dismissed as infructuous.
I.a. 1652/2022 (dir)
3. The applicant/respondent seeks leave to withdraw the application.
4. The application is dismissed as withdrawn.
Crl. M.a. 1871/2022 (under Section 340 Cr. P.C)
5. This is an application on behalf of the respondent under Section 340 Cr. P.C read with Section 195 Cr.P.C. It is contended by the respondent/applicant that petitioner have incorrectly claimed the respondent to be a wilful defaulter. He further submits that there is also an alleged illegal submission that there is a demand promissory note executed by the respondent.
6. Further it is contended that the petitioner has incorrectly alleged that there is schedule of repayment whereas there was no schedule of repayment agreed upon. Further it is alleged that certain documents have been manipulated.
7. This is a petition under Section 11(6) of the arbitration and Conciliation act, 1996 seeking appointment of an arbitrator. The contentions raised by the respondent/applicant are all pertaining to the merits of the matter which are to be adjudicated by the arbitral Tribunal and are not germane for the arbitral proceedings.
8. accordingly, I am of the opinion that it is neither expedient nor in the interest of justice to conduct an inquiry, at this stage, into the allegations levelled in the application.
9. The application is accordingly dismissed.
aRB.P. 1218/2021
10. Learned counsel for the Petitioner and Respondent submit that they had attempted to settle the disputes in mediation, however no formal settlement agreement could be signed.
11. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that petitioner had even agreed to reduce their claim from Rs. 34 lakhs to Rs. 8 lakhs. However, since the respondent is disputing that there is a settlement. Petitioner reserves their right to make a full claim of their entire dues.
12. Respondent submits that he also has counter claims against the petitioner. He further submits that petitioner has signed a full and final settlement, accordingly, it cannot resile from the settlement amount.
13. Without prejudice to the above, learned counsel for the petitioner as well as the respondent who appears in person submit that they have no objection to an arbitrator being appointed to adjudicate the disputes between the parties including the claims and counter claims of the respondent.
14. accordingly, the Petition is allowed and the disputes are referred to the Delhi International arbitration Centre (DIaC), which would appoint an arbitrator to arbitrate the disputes. The arbitration shall take place under the aegis of the DIaC in accordance with its rules and regulations.
15. The arbitrator would be entitled to charge fees in accordance with the schedule of fee stipulated by the DIaC.
16. The arbitrator shall also furnish the requisite disclosure under section 12(2) of the arbitration and Conciliation act, 1996 within one week of entering reference.
17. Petition is disposed of in the above terms.
The court's decision emphasized the importance of adjudicating certain matters through arbitration and the inapplicability of certain contentions for the arbitral proceedings.
The court emphasizes the necessity of arbitration for settling disputes between parties, facilitating fair adjudication and respecting the process under the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996.
The court reaffirmed that a full and final settlement of disputes renders the matter non-arbitrable, limiting the court's jurisdiction under Section 11(6) to the existence of an arbitration agreement....
Settlement of dispute leading to withdrawal of arbitration application
The court facilitates arbitration referral based on mutual consent of the parties, adhering to the provisions of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996.
Parties can seek arbitration under the Arbitration & Conciliation Act when settlement talks fail, emphasizing the need for an appointed arbitrator to resolve disputes.
Court affirmed the validity of arbitration clauses for dispute resolution when parties agree, even after unsuccessful negotiations.
Parties can mutually consent to refer disputes to arbitration despite disagreements on pre-arbitration steps taken.
The court ruled that disputes over rejected and delayed payments warrant arbitration, appointing a Sole Arbitrator to adjudicate the claims in the interest of justice.
A fresh reference to an Arbitral Tribunal is warranted when a prior arbitration award is set aside under Section 34 of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, ensuring continuity in resolving contract-....
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