Authority: Supreme Court of India (Civil Original Jurisdiction)
Order Date: 25 September 2026
Case Overview
- Petitioner: JioStar India Pvt Ltd, an Indian entertainment network company.
- Respondent: Green Bean Sports Marketing, a UAE‑based sports media rights company.
- Core agreements: Media Rights Sub‑License Agreement dated 30‑03‑2023 granting Respondent exclusive IPL (2023‑2027) rights for Bangladesh, amended on 01‑03‑2024; separate Sub‑Licensing Agreement dated 07‑02‑2023 for Premier League broadcasting rights.
- Cross‑default clause in the 30‑03‑2023 agreement allowed termination on default under any related agreement. JioStar alleged Respondent defaulted on the Premier League agreement, issued a Termination Notice and Demand Notice.
- JioStar invoked Clause 27 (arbitration clause) and served an arbitration notice on 01‑12‑2025 recommending Mr. Mikhail Behl as sole arbitrator. Respondent did not reply.
- Petition filed under Section 11(6) of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 seeking appointment of a sole arbitrator.
Final Outcome
- The Court allowed the petition and appointed Justice S.C. Gupte, former Bombay High Court Judge, as the sole arbitrator for disputes arising under the Media Rights Sub‑License Agreement and its amendment.
- The seat and venue of the arbitration are fixed at Mumbai, India.
- The arbitrator may determine his own fees.
- All pending applications, if any, are disposed of.
Topics: Arbitration, Media Rights Dispute