1. The petitioner, who is the claimant in the arbitral proceedings pending before the Sole Arbitrator, Mr. K.George Oommen, Retd. District Judge, is before this Court in this original petition filed under Article 227 of the Constitution of India, seeking the following relief;

“To grant a time period of six months to complete the arbitration proceedings between the petitioner and the respondent, pending before the Sole Arbitrator Mr. K.George Oomman, Retd. District Judge.”

2. Heard the learned counsel for the petitioner/claimant and also the learned counsel for the respondent/respondent.

3. During the course of arguments, the learned counsel on both sides would submit that under sub-section (5) of Section 29A of the Arbitration and Conciliation Ac, 1996 this Court is empowered to grant the extension of time sought for in this original petition.

4. Section 29A of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996, as inserted by the Arbitration and Conciliation (Amendment) Act, 2015, reads thus;

“29A. Time limit for arbitral award.-(1) The award shall be made within a period of twelve months from the date the arbitral tribunal enters upon the reference.

Explanation.—For the purpose of th