Authority: Supreme Court of India
Order Date: 17-07-2026
Case Overview
- Petitioners: Punjab Agro Food Grain Corporation Ltd (and another) filed Special Leave Petitions (C) No. 14128‑14129/2017 against the High Court of Punjab & Haryana’s order dated 29‑11‑2016 in Review Application No. 140‑CII‑2016 (FAO No. 6121/2015).
- The underlying dispute stems from an arbitral award originally passed in favour of the petitioners; the respondent, Garg Rice Mills (proprietor Sh. Barinder Kumar, deceased), filed objections under Section 34 of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996, which were rejected on 22‑12‑2014.
- The respondent appealed under Section 37; the High Court held the award to be a non‑speaking award, set it aside, and appointed Justice Satish Kumar Mittal as arbitrator, who later declined to continue due to his appointment as Lokayukta.
- The petitioners filed a review seeking recall of the High Court order dated 21‑04‑2016 and dismissal of the appeal. The High Court, on 29‑11‑2016, recalled the earlier order, decided the appeal on merits, and again set aside the award for lack of reasons.
- Petitioners argued that without a reasoned award they cannot be bound and should be free to initiate fresh arbitration; the High Court did not expressly grant this liberty.
Final Outcome
- The Supreme Court declined to entertain the Special Leave Petitions, holding that the petitioners are at liberty to invoke Section 11(6) of the Arbitration Act to seek appointment of a fresh arbitrator.
- The Court observed that an application under Section 11(6) shall not be dismissed on limitation grounds if filed within two months from the order date (i.e., by 17‑09‑2026).
- The special leave petitions and any pending applications are hereby disposed of.
Topics: Arbitration, Supreme Court Order