Sri.K.M.Musthafa v. Union of India
Case brief
What is this about?
Section 11(6) and Section 12(5), Arbitration and Conciliation Act 1996; appointment of sole arbitrator; invalidity of arbitrator who is a personnel of the respondent establishment; independence and impartiality of arbitrator; Clause 16 of Licence Agreement dated 19.01.2017; South Western Railways; notice dated 27.09.2021 (Annexure-F); unilateral appointment by respondent (letter dated 09.11.2021); court-appointed independent arbitrator (retired District Judge); Arbitration and Conciliation Centre (Domestic & International), Bengaluru; E.S. Indiresh J; CMP No. 424 of 2021. Relevant to matters concerning substitution of an employee-arbitrator nominated by one party with an independent arbitrator.
What did the court decide?
Petition under Section 11(6) allowed; Sri. S.R. Somashekar, Retired District Judge, appointed to enter upon the reference and act as Sole Arbitrator in the Arbitration and Conciliation Centre (Domestic & International), Bengaluru; all claims and contentions kept open to the Arbitral Tribunal; parties directed to appear before the Centre on 27.10.2025 at 11.00 am.