Bombay High Court
MANISH HARSHAD SHAHversusPRAFUL L. SANATHRA
- Decided
- Disposal
- DISPOSED OFF
Holding
The court held that a valid arbitration agreement exists and, under Section 11, appointed a sole arbitrator to hear the disputes.
Summary
The applicant filed an application under Section 11 of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 seeking the appointment of an arbitrator to resolve disputes arising from an agreement dated 5 June 2014. The court examined the record and found that a valid and subsisting arbitration agreement existed and had been duly invoked by the applicant's notice dated 27 April 2023. Consequently, the court ordered that Mr. Deeshank Doshi be appointed as the sole arbitrator to adjudicate the disputes. The order also directed procedural steps, including the arbitrator’s disclosure statements under Sections 11(8) and 12(1), communication of contact details, and equal sharing of arbitral costs pending the final award. All substantive issues were left open for determination by the appointed arbitrator.
Issues considered
- Whether a valid arbitration agreement exists between the parties
- Whether the application under Section 11 of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 is maintainable
- Whether the court should appoint a sole arbitrator to adjudicate the disputes
Legislation cited
- Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 — s. 11, 11(8), 12(1)
Subjects
- Arbitration
- Section 11
- Arbitration agreement
- Appointment of arbitrator
- Disclosure statement
- Arbitral costs
Judgment
23-ARBAP-67-2026.doc
Shabnoor
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY
ORDINARY ORIGINAL CIVIL JURISDICTION
ARBITRATION APPLICATION NO. 67 OF 2026
Manish Harshad Shah … Applicant
SHABNOOR V/s.
AYUB Praful L. Sanathra … Respondent
PATHAN
Digitally signed by
SHABNOOR AYUB
PATHAN
Date: 2026.09.10 Ms. Chitra Kawalekar, i/b Sachin Masurkar, for the
18:26:02 +0530
Applicant.
Appearance of Respondent Not submitted.
CORAM : AMIT BORKAR, J.
DATED : SEPTEMBER 10, 2026
P.C.:
1. The present Application has been filed under Section 11 of
the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 (“the Act”), seeking the
appointment of an Arbitrator for adjudication of the disputes and
differences stated to have arisen between the parties under an
Agreement dated 5 June 2014. The arbitration agreement between
the parties is contained in Clause 24 of the said Agreement, a copy
whereof is placed at page 90 of the Application. In the interest of
brevity, the said arbitration clause is not reproduced herein. It
would suffice to observe that the present Application falls within
the jurisdiction of this Court.
2. The record indicates that the Applicant invoked the
arbitration agreement by issuing a notice dated 27 April 2023.
3. Upon perusal of the material placed on record, it is evident
that the arbitration agreement has been duly invoked by the
1
23-ARBAP-67-2026.doc
Applicant.
4. This Court is satisfied that a valid and subsisting arbitration
agreement exists between the parties and that the said agreement
has been duly invoked. It would, therefore, be appropriate to refer
the disputes and differences arising out of or in connection with
the aforesaid Agreement dated 5 June 2014 to arbitration before a
Sole Arbitrator.
5. In the aforesaid circumstances, the present Application under
Section 11 of the Act, is deserved to be disposed of in terms of the
following order:
A) Mr. Deeshank Doshi, Advocate of this court, is hereby
appointed as the Sole Arbitrator to adjudicate upon the
disputes and differences between the parties arising out of
and in connection with the Agreement referred to above;
Office Address:- C/o. Adv. Nirman Sharma
Office No. 9, Commerce House, Nagindas Master Rd., Kala
Ghoda, Fort, Mumbai - 400 001
Email: [email protected]
B) A copy of this Order will be communicated to the
Learned Sole Arbitrator by the Advocates for the
Applicant within a period of one week from today. The
Applicant shall provide the contact and communication
particulars of the parties to the Arbitral Tribunal along
with a copy of this Order;
2
23-ARBAP-67-2026.doc
C) The Learned Sole Arbitrator is requested to
forward the statutory Statement of Disclosure under
Section 11(8) read with Section 12(1) of the Act to the
Advocates for the Applicant so as to enable them to file
the same in the Registry of this Court. The Registry of
this Court shall retain the said Statement on the file of
this Applicant and a copy of the same shall be furnished
by the Advocates for the Applicant to the Advocates for
the Respondent;
D) The Learned Sole Arbitrator is requested to
forward the statutory Statement of Disclosure under
Section 11(8) read with Section 12(1) of the Act to the
parties within a period of two weeks from receipt of a
copy of this Order;
E) The parties shall appear before the Learned Sole
Arbitrator on such date and at such place as indicated, to
obtain appropriate directions with regard to conduct of
the arbitration including fixing a schedule for pleadings,
examination of witnesses, if any, schedule of hearings
etc. At such meeting, the parties shall provide a valid
and functional email address along with mobile and
landline numbers of the respective Advocates of the
parties to the Arbitral Tribunal. Communications to such
email addresses shall constitute valid service of
correspondence in connection with the arbitration;
F) All arbitral costs and fees of the Arbitral Tribunal
shall be borne by the parties equally in the first instance,
3
23-ARBAP-67-2026.doc
and shall be subject to any final Award that may be
passed by the Tribunal in relation to costs.
6. All issues on merits are expressly kept open to be agitated
before the arbitral tribunal appointed hereby.
7. All actions required to be taken pursuant to this order shall
be taken upon receipt of a downloaded copy as available on this
Court’s website.
(AMIT BORKAR, J.)
4
Checking your session…
Lawyer court records for this case
Associated through the court’s case reference.