Bombay High Court
TATA CAPITAL FINANCIAL SERVICES LIMITEDversusKRYSTAL TRANSPORT SERVICES
- Decided
- Disposal
- DISPOSED OFF
Holding
The execution proceedings were held to be non est due to lack of jurisdiction, and the court allowed the applications to be withdrawn.
Summary
Tata Capital Financial Services Ltd filed execution and interim applications against Krystal Transport Services. The court noted that the Supreme Court in Bhadra International (India) Pvt. Ltd. v. Airport Authority of India (Civil Appeals Nos. 37‑38 of 2026) held that an arbitral award is void ab initio if the arbitrator is unilaterally appointed, rendering any decree passed by a court lacking jurisdiction non est. Consequently, the execution proceedings were deemed void, and the applicant was allowed to withdraw the applications. The court granted leave to withdraw, ordered the applications disposed, and indicated that fresh arbitration may be initiated, with the limitation period excluded for any new proceedings. The interim applications were also disposed of as withdrawn.
Issues considered
- Whether execution proceedings can continue when the underlying arbitral award is void due to lack of jurisdiction.
- Whether a decree passed by a court without jurisdiction is non est and renders subsequent execution proceedings void.
- Whether the parties may withdraw the execution and interim applications in view of the Supreme Court judgment.
Subjects
- arbitration
- arbitrator appointment
- void award
- jurisdiction
- execution proceedings
- limitation
- withdrawal
Judgment
Digitally signed
by MAYUR
MAYUR KONDIRAM
KONDIRAM ADANE
ADANE Date:
2026.08.21
17:38:28 +0530
506-EXA-147-2025 (OS).doc
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY
ORDINARY ORIGINAL CIVIL JURISDICTION
EXECUTION APPLICATION NO. 147 OF 2025
WITH
INTERIM APPLICATION NO. 2469 OF 2023
Tata Capital Financial Services Limited ...Applicant
Versus
Krystal Transport Services ...Respondent
__________
Adv. Bijal Gogri, i/b O M Gujar Law Chambers, for the Applicant.
__________
CORAM : ADVAIT M. SETHNA, J.
DATE : 21st AUGUST 2026
P.C.:
1. Not on board. Taken on board in terms of the praecipe dated 21
August 2026.
2. Heard Ms. Gogri, learned counsel for the Applicant in the
proceedings. From the record, it appears that the proceedings are covered
by the judgment of the Supreme Court in the case of Bhadra International
(India) Pvt. Ltd. and Others v. Airport Authority of India , Civil Appeal
Nos. 37-38 of 2026. The Supreme Court has held therein that an arbitral
award can be set aside as being void ab initio on the ground that the
arbitrator was unilaterally appointed.
3. According to the Supreme Court, a decree passed by a Court
without jurisdiction goes to the root of the matter. Any decision passed by
Mayur Page 1 of 2
506-EXA-147-2025 (OS).doc
a Court lacking jurisdiction would be coram non judice, since a Court
cannot confer jurisdiction upon itself. No act of the parties can cure an
inherent lack of jurisdiction. In view thereof, all the proceedings, including
the execution proceedings, are rendered non est. The issue therefore is no
longer res integra.
4. In light of the above, learned counsel for the Applicant seeks leave
to withdraw the present Applications.
5. Leave is granted accordingly to withdraw the said proceedings.
6. However, it would be open to the parties to initiate fresh arbitration
proceedings, if necessary, in accordance with law.
7. As far as the issue of limitation is concerned, the period
commencing from the date of invocation of arbitration until the date of
this order shall stand excluded, in the event fresh proceedings are initiated
by the parties.
8. With the above observations and directions, the Application stand
Disposed of as withdrawn.
9. Consequently, the Interim Applications, if any, also stand Disposed
of accordingly.
[ADVAIT M. SETHNA, J.]
Mayur Page 2 of 2
Checking your session…
Lawyer court records for this case
Associated through the court’s case reference.