Authority: High Court of Judicature at Bombay, Commercial Division

Order Date: 11 September 2026

Case Overview

  • Parties: Applicant – IIFL Finance Limited; Respondent – Bestwell Polytube Industry Private Limited.
  • Underlying Agreement: Contract dated 28 June 2024 containing an arbitration clause (Clause 26).
  • Arbitration Invocation: Applicant served a notice of arbitration on 24 March 2026 under Section 11 of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996.
  • Respondent's Conduct: No reply or affidavit filed by the Respondent despite service of the notice.
  • Court Findings: The Court confirmed the existence of a valid, subsisting arbitration agreement and affirmed its jurisdiction to refer the matter to arbitration.

Final Outcome

  • Arbitrator Appointment: Ms. Pranita Saboo, Advocate of this Court, appointed as the Sole Arbitrator.
  • Office Address: 6th floor, Aban House, Saibaba Rd, beside Keneseth Eliyahoo Synagogue, Kala Ghoda, Fort, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400001.
  • Procedural Directions:
  • A copy of the order to be communicated to the Sole Arbitrator within one week.
  • Applicant to provide contact details of parties to the Arbitrator.
  • Arbitrator to forward statutory Statement of Disclosure (Sec. 11(8) & Sec. 12(1) Act) to both parties within two weeks.
  • Parties to appear before the Arbitrator for scheduling of pleadings, hearings, and witness examinations, providing valid email, mobile, and landline numbers.
  • All arbitral costs and fees, as per the Institute’s schedule, to be borne equally by the parties initially, subject to final award adjustments.
  • Merits: All issues on the merits remain open for determination by the appointed arbitral tribunal.
  • Implementation: Actions to be taken upon receipt of the order’s downloaded copy from the Court’s website.

Topics: Arbitration, Court Order