Disposed

Tata Capital Ltd. v. Unitech Associates & Ors.

Delhi HC26 Sept 2024ARB.P./888/2024

Case brief

AI extract

What is this about?

The Delhi High Court appointed Mr. Pradeep Kumar as the sole arbitrator under Section 11(6) of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 to adjudicate a dispute between Tata Capital Ltd and Unitech Associates arising from a loan agreement.

What did the court decide?

Appointment of Mr. Pradeep Kumar as the Sole Arbitrator; direction to facilitate mediation under Section 30(1).

Tata Capital Ltd. Vs Unitech Associates & Ors. — Consumer Protection | Delhi HC (2024)

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$~46

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IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI

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% Date of Decision : 26.09.2024

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- ARB.P. 888/2024

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TATA CAPITAL LTD .....Petitioner Through: Mr. Harsh Sinha, Adv. versus

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UNITECH ASSOCIATES & ORS. .....Respondents Through: Mr. Ranvir Vats, Adv.

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CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SACHIN DATTA

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SACHIN DATTA, J. ( Oral )

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The present petition under Section 11(6) of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 (hereinafter ‘ the A&C Act’ ) seeks appointment of the Sole Arbitrator to adjudicate the disputes between the parties.

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The disputes between the parties have arisen in the context of Loan Cum Hypothecation Agreement for Construction Equipment Finance dated 30.11.2020 (hereinafter ‘ the agreement’ ).

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Pursuant to the said agreement the petitioner sanctioned and disbursed a loan to the respondent no.1, with the respondent no.2 being a guarantor.

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Clause-3 of the agreement provides that the borrower shall repay the loan facility with accrued interest as mentioned in Annexure 1 thereto. The details of the hypothecated assets are set out in Annexure-2 of the agreement.

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Dispute/s have arisen between the parties on account of alleged default on the part of the respondent in paying the instalments.

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Signature Not Verified

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ARB.P. 888/2024 Page 1 of 3

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Digitally Signed By:KAMLA RAWAT Signing Da te:0 5.10.2024 14:09:22

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The agreement between the parties contained an Arbitration Clause as

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under:-

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“13. Arbitration

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If any dispute, difference or claim arises between any of the Obligors and the Lender in connection with the Facility or as to the interpretation, validity, implementation or effect of the Facility Documents or as to the rights and liabilities of the parties under the Facility Documents or alleged breach of the Facility Documents or anything done or omitted to be done pursuant to the Facility Documents, the same shall be settled by arbitration to be held at the place as mentioned at Serial No. 13 of Annexure 1 hereto in as may be decided by the Lender in accordance with the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996, or statutory amendments thereto and shall be referred to a sole arbitrator to be appointed by the Lender. The award of the arbitrator shall be final and binding on all parties concerned. The arbitration proceedings shall be in English language. Cost of arbitration shall be borne by the Obligors.”

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Admittedly, the seat of the Arbitration is in Delhi.

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Disputes having arisen between the parties, a loan recall notice dated 27.06.2023 was issued by the petitioner to the respondent followed by a notice of invocation of arbitration dated 03.04.2024.

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Respective counsels for the parties accede that in terms of the judgment of the Supreme Court in Perkins Eastman Architects DPC v. HSCC (India) Ltd., (2020) 20 SCC 760 , it is incumbent on this Court to appoint a Sole Arbitrator to adjudicate the disputes between the parties.

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It is further jointly requested that prior to adjudication of the disputes, the concerned arbitrator be also requested to pursue the possibility of a settlement of disputes between the parties through mediation as contemplated in Section 30 (1) of the A&C Act.

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Accordingly, as jointly prayed, Mr. Pradeep Kumar, Advocate (Mob. No.:9810243924) is appointed as the Sole Arbitrator to adjudicate the disputes between the parties.

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Signature Not Verified

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ARB.P. 888/2024 Page 2 of 3

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Digitally Signed By:KAMLA RAWAT Signing Da te:0 5.10.2024 14:09:22

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Prior to adjudication of the dispute on merits, the learned Sole Arbitrator is requested to encourage the parties to arrive at a settlement through the mediation or any procedure as may be considered appropriate by the learned Arbitrator, as contemplated under Section 30(1) of the A&C Act. 10. The learned Sole Arbitrator may proceed with the arbitration subject to furnishing to the parties requisite disclosures as required under Section 12 of the A&C Act.

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The learned Sole Arbitrator shall be entitled to fee in accordance with the IV^th Schedule of the A&C Act; or as may otherwise be agreed to between the parties and the learned Sole Arbitrator. 12. Parties shall share the arbitrator’s fee and arbitral cost, equally. 13. All rights and contentions of the parties in relation to the claims/counter claims are kept open, to be decided by the learned Sole Arbitrator on their merits, in accordance with law.

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Needless to say, nothing in this order shall be construed as an expression of opinion of this Court on the merits of the case. 15. The present petition stands disposed of in the above terms.

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SACHIN DATTA, J

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SEPTEMBER 26, 2024/ sv

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Signature Not Verified

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ARB.P. 888/2024 Page 3 of 3

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Digitally Signed By:KAMLA RAWAT Signing Da te:0 5.10.2024 14:09:22

Tata Capital Ltd. v. Unitech Associates & Ors.

Case brief

What is this about?

What did the court decide?

Tata Capital Ltd. v. Unitech Associates & Ors.

Case brief

What is this about?

What did the court decide?

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