Bombay High Court
SHIVANGI CONSTRUCTION CO THROUGH ITS DIRECTOR CONTRACTOR AJAY SINGHversusWESTERN RAILWAY MUMBAI CENTRAL
- Decided
- Disposal
- DISPOSED OFF
Holding
The Court held that a valid arbitration agreement exists and duly appointed a sole arbitrator under Section 11 of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996.
Summary
The applicant, Shivangi Construction Co., filed an application under Section 11 of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996, seeking the appointment of an arbitrator to resolve disputes arising from a contract dated 3 October 2016. The contract contained an arbitration clause in Clause 64(1)(i) and related provisions, and the applicant had invoked the clause by issuing a notice on 12 November 2025. The High Court examined the existence and validity of the arbitration agreement and found it to be subsisting and properly invoked. Consequently, the Court exercised its jurisdiction under Section 11 and appointed Mr. Abhishek Kothari as the sole arbitrator, issuing detailed procedural directions. The order also directed the parties to cooperate with the arbitrator, disclose statutory statements, and share contact details, while costs were to be borne equally pending any award.
Issues considered
- Whether a valid and subsisting arbitration agreement exists between the parties.
- Whether the High Court has jurisdiction to appoint an arbitrator under Section 11 of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996.
Legislation cited
- Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 — s. 11, 11(8), 12(1)
Subjects
- Arbitration
- Section 11
- Arbitration agreement
- Appointment of arbitrator
- Commercial contract
- High Court of Bombay
Judgment
55-carap-500-2026.doc
Shabnoor
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY
ORDINARY ORIGINAL CIVIL JURISDICTION
IN ITS COMMERCIAL DIVISION
SHABNOOR COMM ARBITRATION APPLICATION NO. 500 OF 2026
AYUB
PATHAN
Digitally signed by
SHABNOOR AYUB
Shivangi Construction Co.,
PATHAN
Date: 2026.09.17
Through Its Proprietor
16:41:24 +0530
Ajay Singh … Applicant
V/s.
Union of India, through
the General Manager,
Western Railway, Mumbai Central … Respondent
Mr. Yash Tiwari, for the Applicant.
Ms. Shehnaz V. Bharucha, for Respondent.
CORAM : AMIT BORKAR, J.
DATED : SEPTEMBER 17, 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 3 October 2016. The arbitration agreement
between the parties is contained in Clause 64(1)(i), read with
Clause 63 of the General Conditions of Contract, and Clauses 52
(Restrictions on Arbitration Clauses) and 53 (Jurisdiction of
Courts) of the said Agreement, a copy whereof is placed at pages
93–96 and 84 of the Application. In the interest of brevity, the said
arbitration clause is not reproduced herein. It would suffice to
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55-carap-500-2026.doc
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 12 November
2025.
3. Upon perusal of the material placed on record, it is evident
that the arbitration agreement has been duly invoked by the
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 3 October 2016 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. Abhishek Kothari 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 Sr. Adv. Ashish Kamat, 501, Oval House,
British Hotel Lane, Kala Ghoda, Mumbai – 400001.
Email: [email protected]
B) A copy of this Order will be communicated to the
Learned Sole Arbitrator by the Advocates for the
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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;
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 may be
indicated by the Learned Sole Arbitrator, for obtaining
appropriate directions with regard to the conduct of the
arbitral proceedings, including fixing the schedule for
filing of pleadings, examination of witnesses, if any, and
dates of hearing. At such meeting, the parties shall
furnish to the Arbitral Tribunal valid and functional
email addresses, together with the mobile and landline
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telephone numbers of their respective Advocates.
Communications sent to the said email addresses shall
constitute valid service of correspondence in connection
with the arbitral proceedings.
F) All arbitral costs and fees of the arbitration and of
the Arbitral Tribunal shall be borne by the parties equally
in the first instance. The same shall, however, remain
subject to any final Award that may be passed by the
Arbitral Tribunal in relation to costs.
6. The Learned Sole Arbitrator shall be at liberty to adjudicate
upon the claims and counterclaims, if any, and to determine all
questions relating to merits, in accordance with law.
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.)
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