M/S Gagan Ace Developers Throu. Sushil Ghanshyam Agrawal and Anr. v. M/S Choice Throu. Atul Mahadeo Bhagat and Ors.
Case brief
What is this about?
Section 36 Arbitration and Conciliation Act 1996 — stay of execution and operation of arbitral award; conditional stay subject to deposit of entire award amount with accrued interest; Section 34 challenge does not auto-stay enforcement; unconditional stay mandatory only on prima facie fraud or corruption in the contract or making of the award; 'due regard' to CPC money-decree stay provisions directory/guiding (substantial loss, unreasonable delay, security); 'exceptional case' standard for unconditional stay (egregiously perverse / patent illegalities / facially untenable award); Article 227 supervisory jurisdiction over interim orders; damages/compensation without proof of actual loss; patent illegality and perversity prima facie assessment; Architect-Commissioner report and ready reckoner rates; development agreement for residual FSI 9150 sq.ft. and TDR, Plot Nos.4 to 8, Plot No.5, Ghorpadi, Pune; ULC order waiver by payment of premium; Deed of Confirmation; precedents engaged: Pam Developments Pvt. Ltd. v. State of West Bengal (2019) 8 SCC 112; Lifestyle Equities C.V. v. Amazon Technologies Inc. (2025 SCC OnLine SC 2153); Popular Caterers v. Ameet Mehta (2025 LiveLaw (SC) 1144); Alkem Laboratories Ltd. v. Issar Pharmaceuticals Pvt. Ltd. (Bom HC, IA 377 of 2024 in Comm. Arb. Pet. 389 of 2023). Outcome: Writ Petition dismissed, Rule discharged, no costs; Section 34 merits left to the District Court, Pune.