Global Broadcasting Solution Opc Private Limited v. Bluesport Entertainment Private Limited
Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 – Section 11 application for appointment of sole arbitrator
Case brief
What is this about?
Bombay High Court, Commercial Division; Arbitration Application No. 171 of 2024; Somasekhar Sundaresan J.; decided June 12, 2025. Global Broadcasting Solution OPC Private Limited v. Bluesport Entertainment Private Limited. Section 11 ACA 1996 application allowed; Shilpan Gaonkar appointed sole arbitrator for disputes under May 19, 2023 agreement (arbitration clause 21). Respondent's objections — execution under cloud due to signatory's death (Manu Agarwal) and related-party transaction/conflict of interest (Alok Tripathi) — held outside Section 11 scope per Section 11(6A), In Re: Interplay (2024) 6 SCC 1, SBI General v. Krish Spinning, Ajay Madhusudan Patel; existential-substance questions reserved to arbitral tribunal under Section 16; merits expressly left open.
What did the court decide?
Application finally disposed of by appointing Mr. Shilpan Gaonkar, Advocate of the Bombay High Court, as Sole Arbitrator to adjudicate the disputes arising out of and in connection with the agreement dated May 19, 2023; copy of the Order to be communicated to him by the Applicant's advocates within one week of upload; disclosure statement under Sections 11(8)/12(1) to be forwarded within two weeks; parties to appear before the Tribunal; arbitral costs and fees borne equally in the first instance, subject to the final Award on costs.