Axis Bank Limited v. Rudal Sukdeo Mehta

58-IA-1648-2026.doc

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY

ORDINARY ORIGINAL CIVIL JURISDICTION INTERIM APPLICATION NO. 1648 OF 2026 IN EXECUTION APPLICATION NO. 1089 OF 2017 Axis Bank Limited ... Applicant

Versus

Rudal Sukdeo Mehta ... Respondent Ms. Bijal Gogri i/b. O M Gujar Law Chambers, Advocate for the Applicant.

None for the Respondent.

CORAM

:

ABHAY AHUJA, J.

DATE :

6th May, 2026 P.C. :

1.

When the matter is called out, Ms. Gogri, learned Counsel, appearing for the Applicant submits that in this matter there has been a unilateral appointment of Arbitrator and this Court may pass appropriate orders in view of the decision in the case of Bhadra International (India) Pvt. Ltd. and others vs. Airports Authority of India1 where the Hon'ble Supreme Court has clearly observed that unilateral appointment of arbitrator is void ab initio and the 2026 SCC Online SC 7 Mandar M. 1/2

58-IA-1648-2026.doc ineligibility can be raised at any stage and even in execution. 2.

In view of the aforesaid, the award dated 27th November 2015 is therefore set aside and the Execution Application as well as the connected Interim Application stand dismissed. 3.

It would be open to the parties to initiate fresh arbitration proceedings in accordance with law.

4.

As far as limitation is concerned, the period from the invocation of the arbitration till today be excluded in initiating fresh arbitration proceedings.

(ABHAY AHUJA, J.) Mandar M. 2/2