UOI and Others Vs Manglu Alias Mangloo Ram and Another — Arbitration | Himachal Pradesh HC (2026)

UOI and Others Vs Manglu Alias Mangloo Ram and Another — Arbitration | Himachal Pradesh HC (2026)

What the court decided

AI extract

Outcome

Delay of 42 days in filing the Section 37 appeal condoned and application disposed of; appeal registered and admitted; execution of the award dated 30.05.2023 stayed during the pendency of the appeal, subject to deposit of the entire awarded amount with up-to-date interest within eight weeks.

Issue for consideration

Whether the delay of 42 days in filing the appeal under Section 37 of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act should be condoned. +1 more

Court's answer

The Court was satisfied with the explanation given in the condonation application, considering the applicants' version uncontroverted, and accordingly condoned the 42-day delay in filing the Section 37 appeal.

Ratio / Principle

The condonation-of-delay application was allowed, the delay in filing the accompanying appeal was ordered to be condoned, and the application was disposed of.

Key takeaways

Execution of the award dated 30.05.2023 was stayed during the pendency of the admitted appeal, subject to the condition that the applicant shall deposit the entire awarded amount, along with up-to-date interest, within a period of eight weeks.ratio¶17

Detailed headnote1 paragraphs

Union of India and Ors. v. Manglu @ Mangloo Ram and Anr., OMP(M) No. 289 of 2025, decided 20.07.2026 (Virender Singh, Judge). The applicants' appeal under Section 37 of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, challenging the award dated 30.05.2023 passed in Case No. 219 of 2021 by the Divisional Commissioner Mandi exercising the power of Arbitrator, was admittedly filed beyond the prescribed period of limitation. Condonation of a 42-day delay was sought on account of administrative exigencies; the non-applicants filed no reply despite sufficient opportunities, leaving the factual position uncontroverted. The Court condoned the delay, allowed and disposed of the application, had the appeal registered and admitted it, and stayed execution of the award during its pendency, subject to the applicant depositing the entire awarded amount, with up-to-date interest, within eight weeks, with alteration/modification/vacation permissible on motion.

Union of India and Ors. Vs Manglu @ Mangloo Ram and Anr. OMP(M) No. 289 of 2025

20.07.2026

Present: Ms. Ritu Sharma, Advocate, for the applicants. Mr. Tek Chand, Advocate, vice Mr. Vinay Thakur, Advocate, for respondent No. 1. Ms. Ayushi Negi, Deputy A.G., for respondent No. 2.

Despite various opportunities granted to the

nonapplicants, reply to the application not filed. Further adjournment is not justifiable.

The applicants filed the accompanying appeal under Section 37 of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act. Admittedly, the said appeal has not been filed within the prescribed period of limitation. As such, the present application has been filed for condonation of delay, which as per the application is 42 days. The said delay is stated to be on account of administrative exigencies, as the matter has been dealt with, at various level. Even otherwise, despite sufficient opportunities granted to the nonapplicants, the factual position as mentioned in the application, remained uncontroverted.

Considering the uncontroverted version of the applicants, this Court is satisfied with the explanation, which has been mentioned in the application.

Consequently, the application under consideration is allowed and the delay in filing the

accompanying appeal, is ordered to be condoned. Application is accordingly disposed of.

Arb. Appeal No. ________ of 2026

Vide order of the even date, passed in OMP(M) No. 289 of 2025, the delay in filing the appeal has been ordered to be condoned. Be registered.

Notice. Mr. Tek Chand, Advocate and Ms. Ayushi Negi, Deputy A.G., appears and waives service of notice on behalf of respective respondents.

Service complete.

Admit.

OMPST No. 23476 of 2025

Application is considered and allowed. During

the pendency of the appeal, which has been admitted, the execution of the award dated 30.05.2023, passed in Case No. 219 of 2021, passed by the Divisional Commissioner Mandi, exercising the power of Arbitrator, is ordered to be stayed, subject to the condition that the applicant shall deposit the entire awarded amount, along with uptodate interest, within a period of eight weeks, from today. The application stands disposed of. Alteration/modification/vacation on motion.

( Virender Singh ) Judge

20^th July, 2026 ( Pramod Kumar )