Zee Learn Limited vs Lahai Educational and Charitable Trust (through Its Authorized Signatory) M. Venislas

This Application has been filed under Section 11 of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 ( “the Act” ) seeking appointment of an arbitrator in connection with disputes and differences arising out of Academic Alliance Agreement dated February 10, 2017 ( “Agreement” ). The arbitration agreement is contained in Clause 15.8 (found at Page 52 of the Application). In the interest of brevity, the same is not reproduced here. Suffice it to say that the matter falls within the jurisdiction of this Court.

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Learned Counsel for the Applicant submits that there is an evident default, and despite issuance of a invocation notice there is no response from the Respondent.

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Page 1 of 4 APRIL 22, 2025

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(This order is corrected pursuant to speaking to minutes of order dated June 12, 2025.)

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Aarti Palkar

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512.ARBAP.173.2024 (corrected).doc

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The scope of review under Section 11 is explicitly set out in Section 11(6A) of the Act. It is now trite law, with particular regard to the decisions of a seven-judge bench in the Interplay Judgement¹ followed by multiple others, including SBI General² and Patel³ that the Section 11 Court ought not to venture beyond examining the existence of a validly existing arbitration agreement that has been formally executed. Even questions of existential substance is a matter that falls squarely in the domain of the arbitral tribunal, in view of Section 16 of the Act.

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Being satisfied that an arbitration agreement is validly in existence, and that arbitration has been duly invoked, it is in the fitness of things to refer the disputes and differences between the parties in connection with the aforesaid Agreement dated May 21, 2020 to arbitration by a Sole Arbitrator.

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In these circumstances, this Section 11 Application is finally disposedof , in terms of the following order :-

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A] Mr. Prashant Mishra, an Advocate of this Court is hereby appointed as the Sole Arbitrator to adjudicate upon the disputes and differences between the parties arising out

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1 In Re: Interplay Between Arbitration Agreements Under Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 & Stamp Act, 1899 – (2024) 6 SCC 1

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2 SBI General Insurance Co. Ltd. v. Krish Spinning – 2024 SCC OnLine SC 1754

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3 Ajay Madhusudan Patel v. Jyotrindra S. Patel – 2024 SCC OnLine SC 2597

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Page 2 of 4 APRIL 22, 2025

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(This order is corrected pursuant to speaking to minutes of order dated June 12, 2025.)

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Aarti Palkar

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512.ARBAP.173.2024 (corrected).doc

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of and in connection with the Agreement referred to above. The contact details of the Learned Arbitrator are set out below:-

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Office Address : Office No.9, Ground Floor, Yusuf Building, Junction of VN Road and MG Road, Hutatma Chowk, Mumbai – 400 001.

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B] A copy of this Order will be communicated to the Learned Sole Arbitrator by the Advocates for the Applicant within a period of one week from today. The Applicant shall provide the contact and communication particulars of the parties to the Arbitral Tribunal along with a copy of this Order;

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C] The Learned Sole Arbitrator is requested to forward the statutory Statement of Disclosure under Section 11(8) read with Section 12(1) of the Act to the parties within a period of two weeks from receipt of a copy of this Order;

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D] The parties shall appear before the Learned Sole Arbitrator on such date and at such place as indicated, to obtain appropriate directions with regard to conduct of the arbitration including fixing a schedule for pleadings, examination of witnesses, if any, schedule of hearings etc. At such meeting, the parties shall provide a valid and functional email address along with mobile and landline numbers of the respective Advocates of the parties to the Arbitral Tribunal. Communications to such email addresses shall constitute valid service of correspondence in connection with the arbitration and;

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(This order is corrected pursuant to speaking to minutes of order dated June 12, 2025.)

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Page 3 of 4 APRIL 22, 2025

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Aarti Palkar

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512.ARBAP.173.2024 (corrected).doc

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E] All arbitral costs and fees of the Arbitral Tribunal shall be borne by the parties equally in the first instance, and shall be subject to any final Award that may be passed by the Tribunal in relation to costs.

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Needless to say, nothing contained in this order is an expression of an opinion on merits of the matter or the relative strength of the parties. All issues on merits are expressly kept open to be agitated before the arbitral tribunal appointed hereby.

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All actions required to be taken pursuant to this order, shall be taken upon receipt of a downloaded copy as available on this Court’s website.

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[ SOMASEKHAR SUNDARESAN, J.]

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(This order is corrected pursuant to speaking to minutes of order dated June 12, 2025.)

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Page 4 of 4 APRIL 22, 2025

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Aarti Palkar

Zee Learn Limited v. Lahai Educational and Charitable Trust (through Its Authorized Signatory) M. Venislas

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Zee Learn Limited v. Lahai Educational and Charitable Trust (through Its Authorized Signatory) M. Venislas

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