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Druck Media Pvt. Ltd. v. M/S Ahlers India Pvt. Ltd.

Delhi HC21 May 2025O.M.P.(MISC.)(COMM.)/403/2025

Case brief

AI extract

What is this about?

Section 29A(4)&(5) Arbitration and Conciliation Act 1996; extension of arbitrator's mandate; Delhi High Court O.M.P.(MISC.)(COMM.) 403/2025; Druck Media Pvt Ltd vs Ahlers India Pvt Ltd; Agency Agreement 07.09.2017; sole arbitrator; mandate expired 31.03.2025; nine-month extension from 21.05.2025; regularisation of 01.04.2025–20.05.2025; consent of parties; cross-examination stage; condonation of 7-day refiling delay; Jyoti Singh J; 21.05.2025.

What did the court decide?

Mandate of the learned Arbitrator extended by nine months from 21.05.2025 with consent of parties; period between 01.04.2025 and 20.05.2025 regularised; delay of 7 days in refiling condoned; exemption application (I.A. 12890/2025) allowed; petition allowed and disposed of. ¶30

Druck Media Pvt. Ltd. Vs M/S Ahlers India Pvt. Ltd. — Arbitration | Delhi HC (2025)

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$~65

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IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI

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- O.M.P.(MISC.)(COMM.) 403/2025

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DRUCK MEDIA PVT LTD .....Petitioner Through: Ms. Anukriti, Advocate. versus M/S AHLERS INDIA PVT LTD .....Respondent Through: Ms. Prachi Vashisht, Advocate.

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CORAM:

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HON'BLE MS. JUSTICE JYOTI SINGH

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O R D E R % 21.05.2025

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I.A. 12890/2025 (Exemption)

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Allowed, subject to all just exceptions.

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Application stands disposed of.

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I.A. 12891/2025

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This is an application filed on behalf of the Petitioner seeking condonation of delay of 7 days in refiling this petition.

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Issue notice.

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Ms. Prachi Vashisht, learned counsel accepts notice on behalf of the Respondent.

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For the reasons stated in the application, delay of 7 days in refiling this petition is condoned.

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Application stands disposed of.

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O.M.P.(MISC.)(COMM.) 403/2025

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This petition is filed on behalf of the Petitioner under Section 29A (4) and (5) of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 (‘1996 Act’) seeking extension of the mandate of the learned Arbitrator.

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O.M.P.(MISC.)(COMM.) 403/2025

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Page 1 of 3

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This is a digitally signed order. The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above. The Order is downloaded from the DHC Server on 01/07/2025 at 16:31:14

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Disputes having arisen between the parties in relation to an Agency Agreement executed on 07.09.2017, the same were referred for adjudication by a Sole Arbitrator. Pleadings were completed on 24.08.2021. Petitioner filed the petition for extension of the mandate of the Arbitrator in this Court and vide order dated 20.03.2023, the mandate, which had expired after extensions in March, 2023, was extended upto 11.03.2024. Thereafter, amended Statement of Claim was filed by the Petitioner on 25.08.2023, followed by an application under Section 14 (1)(a) of 1996 Act for direction to the Arbitrator to revise the fee as per reduced value of claims, which was dismissed on 01.12.2023. Amended Statement of Defence was filed on 11.01.2024, followed by a rejoinder. By order dated 18.03.2024, mandate of the Arbitrator, which had expired on 11.03.2024, was extended till 31.03.2025 in O.M.P. (MISC.) (COMM.) 227/2024.

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It is stated in the petition that the arbitral proceedings are at the stage of cross-examination of the sole witness of the Respondent and the next date has been fixed for 26.05.2025. Since the mandate of the Arbitrator has expired on 31.03.2025, learned counsel seeks extension of the mandate by nine months.

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Issue notice.

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Ms. Prachi Vashisht, learned counsel accepts notice on behalf of the Respondent and has no objection to the extension of mandate of the learned Arbitrator.

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Accordingly, with the consent of the parties, mandate of the learned Arbitrator is extended by a period of nine months from 21.05.2025 and period between 01.04.2025 to 20.05.2025 is regularised.

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Page 2 of 3

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O.M.P.(MISC.)(COMM.) 403/2025

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