Authority: High Court of Judicature at Bombay

Order Date: 5 October 2026

Case Overview

  • Parties: Renuka Logistics (Applicant) vs Qwik Supply Chain Private Limited (Respondent No.1) and an unnamed Respondent No.2.
  • Arbitration Application No.457 of 2026 filed under Section 11 of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 seeking appointment of a sole arbitrator pursuant to Clause 13.2 of the Service Provider Agreement dated 18 Nov 2022.
  • Background: Tripartite commercial arrangement dated 18 Nov 2022 for logistics, domestic carrier and transportation services. Respondent No.2 was responsible for cash management; its employees allegedly misappropriated ₹74,94,193. Applicant raised unpaid invoices of ₹68,51,364.38, demanded interest at 18% p.a. and damages of ₹15,00,000.
  • Chronology: FIR filed 17 Jun 2023; multiple notices and legal notices issued by Applicant (4 Jul 2023, 16 Jun 2025, 18 Feb 2026); Respondent No.1 replied on 10 Mar 2025 and later withdrew assistance; Respondent No.2 replied to arbitration notice on 29 Jul 2026 denying liability.
  • Legal submissions: Applicant argued Respondent No.2 is a “veritable party” to the arbitration agreement; Respondent No.2 contended it is a non‑signatory with no consent; Respondent No.1 raised conflict of arbitration seats (Mumbai in SPA vs Ahmedabad in Work Order).

Final Outcome

  • The Court held that an arbitration clause exists between Applicant and Respondent No.1 under Clause 13.2 of the Service Provider Agreement and that Respondent No.2 is not a party to that agreement and cannot be compelled to arbitrate.
  • Ms. Ayushi Anandpara Parekh, Advocate of this Court, is appointed as the Sole Arbitrator to adjudicate the disputes between Renuka Logistics and Qwik Supply Chain Private Limited arising out of the Service Provider Agreement dated 18 Nov 2022.
  • Arbitration seat is Mumbai as per the SPA; the conflicting Ahmedabad provision in the Work Order will be resolved by the Arbitral Tribunal.
  • The Sole Arbitrator’s office address (C/o Rohaan Cama, Office Nos. 17–18, 1st Floor, Islam Building, Veer Nariman Road, Fort, Mumbai – 400001) and email (ayushi.anandpara@gmail.com) are provided; parties must furnish contact details within one week, submit statutory Statement of Disclosure, and bear arbitral costs equally pending final award.
  • All questions of merit, including liability, amounts due, interest, and damages, are reserved for determination by the Sole Arbitrator.

Topics: Arbitration; Logistics Dispute