Authority: Supreme Court of India

Order Date: 04-08-2026

Case Overview

  • Parties: Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (petitioner) vs SMS Ltd (respondent).
  • Origin: Petitions for Special Leave to Appeal (C) No. 9404/2020 and No. 9417/2020 filed against the judgment and order dated 14-01-2020 of ARBP No. 167/2019 passed by the High Court of Delhi, which had appointed an arbitrator.
  • Issues: Petitioners sought relief from the High Court's arbitration appointment; respondents contested.
  • Court observations: The High Court had already appointed the arbitrator, and entertaining the SLP would delay arbitration.

Final Outcome

  • SLP (C) No. 9404/2020 dismissed; parties directed to approach the appointed arbitrator to continue arbitration; question of law left open for appropriate proceedings; any pending applications stand closed.
  • SLP (C) No. 9417/2020 disposed; parties agreed that the sole arbitrator appointed by the High Court shall be the presiding arbitrator; each party to nominate its arbitrator within two weeks, forming a three‑member Arbitral Tribunal to proceed from the stage already reached; no opinion on merits; pending applications stand closed.

Topics: Arbitration, Court Order