Au Small Finance Bank Ltd. v. Shinge Tours And Travels And 3 ORS

Vivekanand 1/2 85-EXA-29-2021.doc

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY

ORDINARY ORIGINAL CIVIL JURISDICTION EXECUTION APPLICATION NO. 29 OF 2021 WITH INTERIM APPLICATION NO. 363 OF 2024 IN EXECUTION APPLICATION NO. 29 OF 2021 AU SMALL FINANCE BANK LTD.

..... APPLICANT

VERSUS

SHINGE TOURS AND TRAVELS & 3 ORS ..... RESPONDENTS None present.

CORAM : RAJESH S. PATIL, J.

Date : 10th MARCH, 2026 P.C. :- 1) None appears for the applicant when the matter is called out.

2) From the proceedings, it can be gathered that the appointment of the sole arbitrator was unilateral. 3) I have taken a view in the judgment of L & T Finance Ltd. vs. Sangeeta Bhansali & Anr. in Commercial Execution Application (L) No. 5277 of 2022, considering the latest judgment of the Supreme Court decided on 5 January, 2026, in the matter of Bhadra

Vivekanand 2/2 85-EXA-29-2021.doc International (India) Pvt. Ltd. and others vs. Airport Authority of India, Civil Appeal No. 37-38 of 2026, wherein it has been held that even at the stage of execution, an arbitral award can be set aside being void-ab-initio on the grounds that the appointment of the arbitrator was unilateral.

4) In view of the aforesaid judgment, the arbitral award in the present proceeding dated passed by the sole arbitrator is hereby declared to be non-est in law, non-executable and void-ab-initio. 5) Execution Application stands dismissed.

6) In sequel, the Interim Applications, if any, also stand disposed of.

7) It shall be open for the parties to initiate fresh arbitration proceedings in accordance with law.

8) As far as limitation is concerned, the period from the invocation of the arbitration till today shall stand excluded for the purpose of initiating fresh arbitration proceedings. (RAJESH S. PATIL, J.)