Kotak Mahindra Bank Limited v. Mohamed Intiyaz Ansari
Case brief
What is this about?
Bombay High Court (OOCJ), Abhay Ahuja J, 7 May 2026, batch order Serial Nos. 903-1091: execution applications enforcing arbitral awards passed on unilateral appointment of sole arbitrator dismissed/disposed following Supreme Court decision in Bhadra International (India) Pvt. Ltd. v. Airports Authority of India, 2026 SCC Online SC 7 (unilateral appointment void ab initio; ineligibility raisable at any stage, even in execution); awards set aside; fresh arbitration permitted with limitation exclusion from date of invocation till order date; liberty to apply on express written waiver under proviso to Section 12(5), Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996. Counsel: Bijal Gogri (O. M. Gujar Law Chambers; GNP Legal), Simran J. Raj (Tikshta Modi), Suraj Gupta (SG Legal & Associates), Reet Jain (S. I. Joshi & Co.).
What did the court decide?
Respective arbitral awards set aside; Commercial Execution Applications / Execution Applications and connected Interim Applications and Chamber Summons, if any, stand dismissed / disposed; parties free to initiate fresh arbitration proceedings in accordance with law; period from invocation of arbitration till the date of this order excluded for limitation; liberty to apply where an express written agreement waives ineligibility/right to object under proviso to Section 12(5), Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996.