Hdb Financial Services Ltd. v. Elizabeth Thomas Ganthali
Case brief
What is this about?
Bombay High Court (OOCJ), Abhay Ahuya J., 20 April 2026, batch disposal of Serial Nos. 901 to 1149 Commercial Execution / Execution Applications: sole arbitrator in each matter found unilaterally appointed (office of the Prothonotary & Senior Master); arbitral awards set aside and execution applications, interim applications and chamber summons dismissed / disposed, following the Supreme Court decision in Bhadra International (India) Pvt. Ltd. and Others v. Airports Authority of India, 2026 SCC OnLine SC 7 (unilateral appointment void ab initio; ineligibility raisable at any stage, even in execution). Fresh arbitration permitted; limitation period from invocation excluded; liberty to apply where express written waiver exists under proviso to Section 12(5), Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996. Keywords: unilateral appointment of arbitrator; Section 12(5) ACA 1996; arbitral award set aside; execution application dismissed; fresh arbitration proceedings; limitation exclusion.