ORDER:

Heard Mr. Chirag Sharma, learned counsel represents Ms. Shraddha Gupta, learned counsel for the applicant and Ms. Aishwarya Rao, learned counsel represents Mr. M.V. Pratap Kumar, learned counsel for the respondent.

2. By order dated 17.04.2026, this Court proposed to appoint Sri Justice P. Naveen Rao, a former Acting Chief Justice of this Court, as an independent Arbitrator to adjudicate the dispute between the parties. The order dated 17.04.2026 is extracted hereunder for easy reference:

“Learned counsel Ms. Shraddha Gupta appears for the applicant.

Learned counsel Sri C.Naren Sai, representing learned counsel Sri M.V.Pratap Kumar, appears for the respondent.

The parties have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding dated 23.09.2024, which contains an arbitration clause. The applicant has invoked the jurisdiction of this Court after issuing notice dated 09.01.2026 upon the respondent to which the respondent has also furnished reply not disputing existence of the dispute, but proposing the name of a different arbitrator. Therefore, the applicant has approached this Court for appointment of an independent arbitrator under Section 11 (6) of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996.

Learned counsel for the respondent, on instructions, conveyed the consent of the respondent for appointment of an independent arbitrator in respect of the dispute arising under the Memorandum of Understanding between the parties.

Therefore, I propose to appoint Sri Justice P.Naveen Rao, a former Acting Chief Justice of this Court (Resident of #3001, My Home Bhooja, Block-A, Plot Nos.22-24 & 31-33, Rayadurgam, Ranga Reddy District, Mobile No.8374012311), as an independent arbitrator to adjudicate the dispute between the parties.

The proposed arbitrator is requested to submit his consent and a declaration in terms of Section 12(1) read with Schedule VI of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996.

Registry is directed to communicate this order to the proposed arbitrator.

The matter be listed after three weeks with the response, if any, of the proposed arbitrator.”

3. The proposed Arbitrator has submitted his consent along with a declaration under Section 12(1) read with Schedule VI of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 (for short, ‘the Act’) by letter dated 21.04.2026.

4. Learned counsel for the applicant, therefore, submits that appointment of the proposed Arbitrator may be confirmed.

5. In that view of the matter, I hereby appoint Sri Justice P. Naveen Rao, a former Acting Chief Justice of this Court (Resident of #3001, My Home Bhooja, Block-A, Plot Nos.22-24 & 31-33, Rayadurgam, Ranga Reddy District, Mobile No.8374012311), to act as an independent Arbitrator in respect of the dispute between the parties.

6. Registry is directed to serve a xerox copy of the entire pleadings to the learned Arbitrator. The learned Arbitrator is requested to keep in mind the fee prescribed in Schedule IV of the Act and the time limit prescribed under Section 29A of the Act.

7. The Arbitration Application is, accordingly, disposed of.

Miscellaneous applications pending, if any, shall stand closed.