M/S Manish Buildwell v. Delhi Technological University

$~66 * IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI + O.M.P.(MISC.)(COMM.) 1019/2025 M/S MANISH BUILDWELL .....Petitioner Through:

Ms. Renuka Arora and Mr. Yatin Arora, Advs.

versus DELHI TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY .....Respondent Through:

Ms. Avnish Ahlawat, SC, GNCTD with Mr. Mohnish Sehrawat, Adv.

CORAM:

HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SUBRAMONIUM PRASAD

O R D E R

% 16.12.2025 1.

This is a petition under Section 29A (4) & (5) of the Arbitration & Conciliation Act, 1996 seeking extension of mandate of the learned Sole Arbitrator for making the arbitral award.

2.

Material on record indicates that the Petitioner was awarded work for construction of SPS type design centre at main campus of Delhi Technological University, Bawana Road, vide letter of award dated 16.07.2018.

3.

It is stated that disputes arose between the parties and Hon'ble Ms. Justice Rekha Sharma (Retd.) was appointed as the Sole Arbitrator by the Respondent on 09.11.2022.

4.

It is stated that the pleadings in the arbitration proceedings were completed on 03.08.2024 and the mandate of the learned Arbitrator was The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above. The Order is downloaded from the DHC Server on 19/12/2025 at 13:39:38

extended for a period of six months by mutual consent of the parties with effect from 03.08.2024 till 02.02.2025. Further, this Court vide Order dated 31.01.2025 in O.M.P.(MISC.)(COMM.) 104/2025, extended the mandate of the learned Arbitrator till 03.12.2025.

5.

It is stated that since the mandate of the Arbitral Tribunal for making the award has come to an end on 03.12.2025, the Petitioner has approached this Court for extension of time for making the award. 6.

Learned Counsel for the Respondent states that the Respondent does not have any objection to the extension of mandate. 7.

The Apex Court in Rohan Builders (India) Private Limited v. Berger Paints India Limited, 2024 SCC OnLine SC 2494, has held that an application for extension of the time period for passing an arbitral award under Section 29A(4) read with Section 29A(5) is maintainable even after the expiry of the twelve-month or the extended six-month period, as the case may be.

8.

In view of the fact that the matter is at the stage of cross examination of claimant's witnesses, this Court is inclined to extend the mandate of the learned Sole Arbitrator till 31.07.2026 so that the Award can be pronounced after hearing the parties. Further, the period from 03.12.2025 till today is regularized.

9.

The petition is disposed of along with the pending applications, if any. SUBRAMONIUM PRASAD, J DECEMBER 16, 2025 hsk The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above. The Order is downloaded from the DHC Server on 19/12/2025 at 13:39:38