Delhi High Court Extends Sole Arbitrator’s Mandate by Six Months Under Section 29A; Holds Sufficient Cause Shown and Regularises Expired Arbitration Period

Delhi High Court Grants Further Extension of Arbitrator’s Mandate After Finding Sufficient Cause

Facts

The petitioner, M/s Akash Electro Tek Engineers Pvt. Ltd., filed a petition under Section 29A(5) of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996, seeking extension of the mandate of the learned Sole Arbitrator by a further period of six months with effect from 30 July 2026. The disputes between the parties had earlier been referred to arbitration by the Delhi High Court on 18 February 2020 in ARB.P. No. 636/2019. The Court noted that the arbitrator’s mandate had already been extended on two earlier occasions, namely on 13 May 2024 and 30 January 2026.

Issues

1. Whether sufficient cause existed for extending the mandate of the Sole Arbitrator under Section 29A(5) of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996.
2. Whether the mandate should be extended by a further period of six months.

Petitioner’s Arguments

The petitioner submitted that sufficient cause existed for extending the mandate of the Sole Arbitrator by six months from 30 July 2026 so that the pending arbitral proceedings could be completed.

Respondent’s Arguments

The respondent accepted notice and expressly stated that it had no objection to the extension of the arbitrator’s mandate sought by the petitioner.

Analysis of the Law

The Court examined Section 29A(5) of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996, which empowers the Court to extend the mandate of an arbitral tribunal upon sufficient cause being shown. After considering the reasons stated in the petition and the submissions of the parties, the Court found that the statutory requirement of sufficient cause had been satisfied.

Precedent Analysis

The order does not rely upon or discuss any judicial precedent. The Court disposed of the petition solely on the basis of Section 29A(5) of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 and the facts placed before it.

Court’s Reasoning

The Court observed that the respondent did not oppose the extension sought by the petitioner. Having considered the reasons disclosed in the petition, it was satisfied that sufficient cause had been made out to justify extension of the arbitrator’s mandate. Accordingly, it extended the mandate by six months with effect from 30 July 2026, regularised the period that had elapsed until the date of the order, and directed the Sole Arbitrator to endeavour to conclude the proceedings and render the arbitral award within the extended period.

Conclusion

The Delhi High Court allowed the petition, extended the mandate of the Sole Arbitrator by six months with effect from 30 July 2026, regularised the intervening period, directed the arbitrator to conclude the proceedings within the extended time, and disposed of the petition.

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Case Details

Case: M/s Akash Electro Tek Engineers Pvt. Ltd. v. Northern Railways
Court: Delhi High Court
Case Number: O.M.P.(MISC.)(COMM.) 598/2026
Judge: Hon’ble Mr. Justice Om Prakash Shukla
Date: 06 August 2026
Result: Petition allowed; mandate of the Sole Arbitrator extended by six months with effect from 30 July 2026 and the petition disposed of.

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