IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH Date of Decision: 13.02.2025 Devarsh Gupta …Applicant Versus Kaya Blenders and Distillers Limited …Respondent CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE JAGMOHAN BANSAL Present: - Mr. S.S. Sohi, Advocate for the applicant ***

JAGMOHAN BANSAL, J. (Oral)

1. Through instant application under Section 11(6) of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 (for short ‘1996 Act’), the applicant is seeking appointment of an Arbitrator.

2. On 22.02.2024, Mr. Ritesh Grover, Advocate for Mr. Pushpinder Kaushal, Advocate appeared for the respondent and sought time to file reply. On 08.04.2024, learned counsel for the respondent sought time to file reply. On 18.05.2024, he again sought time. On 24.10.2024, he submitted that he has no instructions from his client, thus, fresh notice was issued which as per office report stands served.

3. Even today, there is no representation of the respondent. It appears that respondent has opted to abstain from joining the proceedings before this Court. The matter is pending before this Court since 2023 and it cannot be kept pending for indefinite period especially when the prayer in the application is confined to appointment of