Authority: High Court of Judicature at Bombay, Commercial Division

Order Date: 18 September 2026

Case Overview

  • Applicant: Armeka Financial Consultants Private Limited
  • Respondent: Bharat Financial Inclusion Limited
  • Arbitration invoked under Section 11 of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996.
  • Underlying contracts: Master Service Agreement dated 30 January 2024 (page 43) and Engagement Letter dated 25 November 2024 (page 80).
  • Arbitration clause: Clause 13.3 of the Master Service Agreement (copies at pages 56 and 56A of the application).
  • Applicant issued a notice invoking the arbitration clause on 9 April 2026.
  • Counsel for Applicant: Mr. Sankalp Anantwar with Ronak Mistry, i/b SMA Law Partners.
  • The Court, after verifying the existence and invocation of a valid arbitration agreement, proceeded to appoint a sole arbitrator.

Final Outcome

  • Mr. Abhishek Kothari, Advocate of this Court, is appointed as the Sole Arbitrator.
  • Office Address: C/o Sr. Adv. Ashish Kamat, 501, Oval House, British Hotel Lane, Kala Ghoda, Mumbai – 400001.
  • Procedural directions:
  • A copy of this Order to be communicated to the Sole Arbitrator by the Applicant’s advocates within one week.
  • Applicant to provide contact and communication particulars of the parties to the Arbitral Tribunal along with a copy of the Order.
  • The Sole Arbitrator must forward the statutory Statement of Disclosure under Section 11(8) read with Section 12(1) of the Act to the Applicant’s advocates for filing in the Court Registry; the Registry will retain the statement and furnish a copy to the Respondent’s advocates.
  • The Sole Arbitrator must also forward the Statement of Disclosure to both parties within two weeks of receiving the Order.
  • Parties to appear before the Sole Arbitrator on a date and place indicated by him for directions on conduct of proceedings, including schedule for pleadings, witness examination, and hearing dates. Parties must furnish valid email addresses and telephone numbers of their advocates; communications to these emails will constitute valid service.
  • All arbitral costs and fees shall be borne equally by the parties initially, subject to any final award on costs by the Arbitral Tribunal.
  • The Sole Arbitrator is empowered to adjudicate claims, counter‑claims, and all merits‑related questions in accordance with law.
  • All actions required by this Order shall be taken upon receipt of a downloaded copy available on the Court’s website.

Topics: Arbitration, Court Order