Kotak Mahindra Bank Limited v. Krushna Express Cargo
Arbitration – Unilateral appointment of sole arbitrator – Execution
Case brief
What is this about?
Unilateral appointment of sole arbitrator void ab initio — arbitral awards set aside in execution following Supreme Court decision in Bhadra International (India) Pvt. Ltd. v. Airports Authority of India, 2026 SCC Online SC 7 — Section 12(5) Arbitration and Conciliation Act 1996 — proviso waiver of ineligibility — Commercial Execution Applications dismissed — liberty to initiate fresh arbitration — limitation exclusion from invocation of arbitration till order date — Bombay High Court, Abhay Ahuja J, 17-04-2026.
What did the court decide?
Arbitral awards set aside; Commercial Execution / Execution Applications and connected Interim Applications and Chamber Summons, if any, dismissed / disposed; parties at liberty to initiate fresh arbitration in accordance with law; period from invocation of 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) waives the sole arbitrator's ineligibility or the right to object under Section 12(5).