Authority: Supreme Court of India
Order Date: 20 July 2026
Case Overview
- Petitioners: Ayan (Indian citizen residing in Germany) acting as consultant.
- Respondent: Roadzen Inc, a Delaware‑incorporated company providing technology and strategy services to the insurance industry.
- Dispute arises from three Freelance Contracts dated 17 Oct 2022, 17 Jan 2023 and 17 Jan 2024 (identical clauses, reference made to the 17 Oct 2022 contract).
- Under the contracts, the petitioner provided consultancy on product and business requirements.
- The petitioner resigned effective 26 Sep 2024 and claimed unpaid fees of EUR 48,141.69 (approximately ₹53 lakhs) for services under the three contracts.
- The respondent allegedly did not honor the payment request.
- The petitioner invoked Clause 11.2 of the contracts and filed Arbitration Petitions No. 9/2026, 34/2026 and 35/2026 under Section 11(6) r/w Section 11(12)(a) of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996.
- On 23 Apr 2025 the petitioner proposed two advocates for appointment as sole arbitrator; the respondent did not respond.
- The petitions were heard before the Chief Justice of India (Surya Kant) and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana.
- Counsel for petitioner: Mr. Abhinav Hansaraman, Adv., Mr. Subhro Prokas Mukherjee (AOR). Counsel for respondent: Mr. Ayush Sharma (AOR), Mr. Ashish Sharma, Adv.
Final Outcome
- The Court allowed all three arbitration petitions.
- Ms Iram Majid, Advocate and Director of the Indian Institute of Arbitration and Mediation, was appointed as the sole arbitrator.
- The seat and venue of arbitration are New Delhi, India, as per the arbitration clause.
- The arbitrator is granted liberty to fix her own remuneration/fees.
- All pending interlocutory applications, if any, are disposed of.
Topics: Arbitration, Contract Dispute