Munisuvrata Agri International Limited (Previously Lmj International Limited) v. Sarat Chatterjee And Co (Vsp) Private Limited And ANR
OD-6
IN THE HIGH COURT AT CALCUTTA
Ordinary Original Civil Jurisdiction ORIGINAL SIDE (Via Video Conference) AP/203/2021 MUNISUVRATA AGRI INTERNATIONAL LIMITED (PREVIOUSLY LMJ INTERNATIONAL LIMITED) VS SARAT CHATTERJEE AND CO (VSP) PRIVATE LIMITED AND ANR
BEFORE:
The Hon'ble JUSTICE RAVI KRISHAN KAPUR Date : 22nd February, 2022.
Appearance:- Mr. Surojit Nath Mitra, Sr. Adv.
Mr. Dhirendra Nath Sharma, Adv.
Mr. S. Mukhopadhyay, Adv.
The Court:- This is an application under Section 29A of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996.
The petitioner seeks extension of time for the Arbitral Tribunal to conclude the reference and make and publish the award. It is submitted on behalf of the petitioner that though the arbitration proceedings are at an advanced stage, however, recent sittings could not be held because of the ongoing Pandemic. The petitioner also relies on the Minutes of the Meeting held on 10th February, 2020 and 4th March, 2020 to substantiate the fact, the parties had before the Arbitral Tribunal clarified that they would be filing an appropriate application for extension of time to conclude the arbitral proceedings. Hence, this application. None appears on behalf of the respondents nor is any accommodation prayed for on their behalf.
I have considered the aforementioned facts and I am satisfied that there was sufficient cause as to why the Arbitral Tribunal could not conclude the proceedings.
In view of the fact that the arbitral proceedings are at an advanced stage, the time for the Arbitral Tribunal to conclude the reference and make and publish the award is extended by a period of one year from the date of passing of this order.
With the aforesaid directions, AP No. 203 of 2021 stands disposed of. The petitioner is also directed to communicate the passing of this order to all the concerned parties including the Arbitral Tribunal. (RAVI KRISHAN KAPUR, J.) S.Bag