SBI Cards and Payment Services Limited v. Arjun Singh
Case brief
What is this about?
Unilateral appointment of sole arbitrator — arbitral awards set aside in execution — following Supreme Court decision in Bhadra International (India) Pvt. Ltd. vs. Airports Authority of India, 2026 SCC Online SC 7 (unilateral appointment void ab initio; ineligibility raisable at any stage, even in execution) — Bombay High Court, Abhay Ahuja J., 16 April 2026 — Commercial Execution Applications Serial Nos. 901 to 1149 dismissed/disposed with connected Interim Applications and Chamber Summons — fresh arbitration permitted — limitation exclusion from invocation of arbitration till date of order — liberty to apply under proviso to Section 12(5), Arbitration and Conciliation Act 1996, for express written waiver of ineligibility — finding by office of Prothonotary & Senior Master.
What did the court decide?
Arbitral awards set aside; Commercial Execution Applications and connected Interim Applications and any Chamber Summons dismissed/disposed; parties at liberty to initiate fresh arbitration with the period from invocation of the arbitration till the date of the order excluded for limitation; liberty to apply where an express written agreement under the proviso to Section 12(5), Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 waives the ineligibility of the sole arbitrator or the right to object.