Authority: Supreme Court of India

Order Date: 10-08-2026

Case Overview

  • Petition: Special Leave Petition (Civil) Diary No. 42332/2026 filed by National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) against Gurwinder Singh & Ors.
  • Origin: Arising from impugned judgment and order dated 31-05-2024 in CWP No. 13977/2024 passed by the High Court of Punjab & Haryana, Chandigarh.
  • Applications sought: (i) Condensation of delay in filing, (ii) Exemption from filing copy/counter‑claim of the impugned judgment, (iii) Permission to file additional documents/facts/annexures.
  • Core issue: NHAI contends that the learned Arbitrator mis‑interpreted the status‑quo order issued by the High Court concerning the subject land, thereby affecting the pending arbitration proceedings under Section 34 of the Arbitration Act.
  • Reference: The Court highlighted its own order dated 30‑05‑2025 in M/s Riar Builders Pvt. Ltd. and Anr. v. Union of India and Ors. (SLP (C) Diary No. 26933/2025) as guiding precedent.

Order

1. The Court condoned the delay in filing the petition.

2. It recorded the contention that the Arbitrator mis‑construed the High Court’s status‑quo order on the disputed land, impacting the arbitration.

3. The Court directed NHAI to approach the High Court and seek clarification of the status‑quo order, so that, in light of the 30‑05‑2025 Supreme Court judgment, the arbitration proceedings under Section 34 can proceed in accordance with law.

4. The Special Leave Petition is disposed of, with any pending applications, if any, to be dealt with separately.

Final Outcome

  • Delay in filing is condoned; NHAI must obtain clarification from the High Court on the status‑quo order; the SLP is disposed, leaving any remaining applications to be addressed independently.

Topics: Land Arbitration, Infrastructure Project Litigation