Srk Powertech Private Limited v. Avec Amor Enterprises LLP
Arbitration – Appointment of sole arbitrator – Section 11(6), Arbitration and Conciliation Act
Case brief
What is this about?
SRK Powertech Private Limited v Avec Amor Enterprises LLP, CMP No. 533 of 2024, High Court of Karnataka (Bengaluru), decided 06-06-2025 by Justice B M Shyam Prasad. Section 11(6) petition under the Arbitration and Conciliation Act founded on the arbitration clause of a Distribution Agreement dated 22.06.2023 (clause provides for a mutually appointed sole arbitrator, seat at Bangalore, courts at Bangalore having exclusive jurisdiction). Prior steps: legal notice dated 28.09.2024 invoking arbitration unanswered; Section 9 application in Com. AA No.274/2024 with interim order, allowed by the Commercial Court with a further modification application pending. Respondent opposed appointment pleading coercion and undue influence in the making of the agreement; Court held the merits of that defense must be examined in the arbitral proceedings and the allegation is not egregious fraud warranting rejection. Petition allowed; former Judge Justice Rajendra M Badamikar appointed sole arbitrator (in place of the prayed-for arbitrator Shri S.N. Navalgund, retired District Judge); request for mediation referral declined; all questions left open.