National Highway Authority Of India … vs Ashok Kumar And Others on 27 February, 2026

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    Punjab-Haryana High Court

    National Highway Authority Of India … vs Ashok Kumar And Others on 27 February, 2026

    Author: Jasgurpreet Singh Puri

    Bench: Jasgurpreet Singh Puri

    CWP-6486-2026                                                          -1-
    
    
    
    
    121
                IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA
                            AT CHANDIGARH
    
                                                                   CWP-6486-2026
                                                        Date of decision: 27.02.2026
    
    NATIONAL HIGHWAY AUTHORITY OF INDIA
                                                                       ...Petitioner(s)
    
                                       VERSUS
    
    ASHOK KUMAR GARG AND OTHERS
                                                                    ...Respondent(s)
    
    CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE JASGURPREET SINGH PURI
    
    Present:-   Mr. Kanwalvir Singh Kang, Advocate for the petitioner.
    
                Mr. Mandeep Nagpal, Advocate for respondent No.1.
                (Through Video Conferencing)
    
                Mr. Somesh Arora, Addl. A.G., Punjab.
    
                       ****
    JASGURPREET SINGH PURI, J.
    

    1. The present Civil Writ Petition has been filed under Articles

    226/227 of the Constitution of India seeking issuance of a writ in the nature of

    SPONSORED

    certiorari for setting aside the order dated 19.02.2026 (Annexure P-25) passed

    by the Statutory Arbitrator/Divisional Commissioner, Patiala (appointed under

    Section 3G(5) of the National Highway Act, 1956), wherein the petitioner has

    been denied the opportunity to cross-examine respondents No.1 and 2 despite

    the fact that the learned Arbitrator had permitted the said respondents to tender

    their evidence by way of affidavit as RW-Ashok Kumar Garg (respondent No.1)

    and RW-1/A-Gurmukh Singh (respondent No.2), with a further prayer to issue

    appropriate directions to respondent No.5-Arbitrator not to proceed further or

    pronounce the award during the pendency of the present petition.

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    2. Mr. Kanwalvir Singh Kang, learned counsel for the petitioner-

    NHAI while stating the brief facts of the case submitted that the petitioner-

    NHAI acquired land situated in different villages in the year 2020 for the

    purpose of widening (four/six laning) of roads. Thereafter, an award was passed

    by the Competent Authority for Land Acquisition (CALA) on 27.09.2021. The

    petitioner-NHAI thereafter approached the statutory Arbitrator appointed under

    Section 3G(5) of the National Highways Act and the arbitration proceedings

    commenced on 21.12.2022, which are pending since then. On 18.03.2024, the

    respondents-landlosers filed their claims before the learned Arbitrator, which

    were thereafter clubbed together.

    3. The learned Arbitrator on 19.07.2024 reserved the award but before

    the pronouncement of the award, respondent No.1 filed a writ petition before

    this Court bearing No.CWP-33483-2024, titled Ashok Kumar Garg versus

    Union of India and others by contending that the mandate of the learned

    Arbitrator had already expired as he did not adhere to the timeline stipulated

    under the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 (hereinafter referred to as ‘the

    Act’). A Coordinate Bench of this Court after issuing notice of motion in the

    aforesaid petition passed an interim order dated 20.12.2024 (Annexure P-6)

    directing that in the meanwhile, passing of the final award shall remain stayed.

    The aforesaid writ petition filed by respondent No.1 was thereafter withdrawn

    on 12.08.2025 vide Annexure P-8 with liberty to file a fresh petition with better

    particulars.

    4. Learned counsel for the petitioner-NHAI submitted that there was

    another writ petition bearing No.CWP-1554-2025 filed by some of the

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    landlosers, although not connected with the subject matter of the present

    petition, whereby a Coordinate Bench of this Court vide Annexure P-9 dated

    24.12.2025 while taking note of the pendency of a large number of statutory

    arbitral proceedings under Section 3G(5) of the National Highways Act passed

    general directions pertaining to both the States of Punjab and Haryana, in which

    timeline was fixed for deciding the arbitration cases and in this way, even the

    present case of arbitration was required to be decided on the basis of the

    directions so issued. In the aforesaid general directions, it was so directed that

    all the pending arbitration cases upto the year 2020 shall be disposed of on or

    before 28.02.2026 and those cases instituted during the years 2021 to 2023 shall

    be disposed of within the next three months i.e. by 30.06.2026 and in this way,

    the present arbitral proceedings pending before the statutory Arbitrator was

    required to be disposed of by 30.06.2026. He further submitted that in the later

    part of the aforesaid order passed by the Coordinate Bench of this Court vide

    Annexure P-9, it was also directed that in all the arbitration cases where the

    arguments have been heard and judgments have been reserved for more than

    one month, the final outcome be pronounced on or before 28.02.2026 by all the

    Arbitrators throughout the States of Punjab and Haryana.

    5. Learned counsel for the petitioner-NHAI submitted that so far as

    the subject matter of the present arbitration is concerned, the award was

    reserved on 19.07.2024 but its pronouncement was stayed by the Coordinate

    Bench of this Court vide Annexure P-6 as aforesaid. The said petition was

    thereafter withdrawn on 12.08.2025 vide Annexure P-8 with liberty to file a

    fresh petition with better particulars and consequently, a fresh petition bearing

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    No.CWP-208-2026 was filed by respondent No.1, which was disposed of by

    this Court on 16.01.2026 vide Annexure P-12, in which learned counsel for the

    petitioner-NHAI submitted that he had sought specific instructions to state that

    it will be in the interest of justice if the new incumbent, who is the Arbitrator-

    cum-Commissioner hears the final arguments of the case and passes an award in

    accordance with law since the earlier Arbitrator, who had reserved the award

    had already demitted the office. The learned State counsel had submitted in the

    aforesaid petition that it will be in the interest of justice in case the new

    incumbent, who is the Arbitrator-cum-Commissioner passes an award after

    hearing both the parties in accordance with law. On this basis, the aforesaid

    petition was disposed of by this Court vide Annexure P-12 and it was also

    directed that since the earlier Arbitrator had kept the draft award in a sealed

    cover, it will be in the interest of justice to direct the learned Arbitrator-cum-

    Commissioner to pass the award in accordance with law after hearing all the

    parties and till the time the award is passed, the draft award which was kept in a

    sealed cover shall not be opened and accordingly, the aforesaid petition was

    disposed of on 16.01.2026.

    6. Thereafter, the learned Arbitrator commenced the proceedings for

    the purpose of hearing both the parties in compliance with the aforesaid order

    passed by this Court. Subsequently, the petitioner-NHAI filed an application on

    05.02.2026 vide Annexure P-13 seeking permission to cross-examine the

    witness i.e. respondent No.1, who tendered into evidence his affidavit-cum-

    examination-in-chief. Thereafter, another application was also filed by the

    petitioner vide Annexure P-14 seeking permission to cross-examine the witness

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    i.e. respondent No.2. Similar applications were also filed by respondents No.1

    and 2 but by way of the impugned order dated 19.02.2026 (Annexure

    P-25), the learned Arbitrator-cum-Commissioner, Patiala Division, Patiala

    dismissed the said applications and the learned Arbitrator is now proceeding

    with the hearing of the final arguments by the parties.

    7. While referring to the aforesaid impugned order passed by the

    learned Arbitrator-cum-Commissioner, Patiala Division, Patiala, learned

    counsel for the petitioner-NHAI submitted that it was so observed by the

    learned Arbitrator that by virtue of the specific directions passed by the

    Coordinate Bench of this Court vide Annexure P-9, the hearing is to be

    completed by 28.02.2026. He further submitted that the matter is fixed for today

    i.e. 27.02.2026 before the learned Arbitrator for deciding the case of arbitration

    and therefore, the present Civil Writ Petition has been filed challenging the

    aforesaid impugned order (Annexure P-25), vide which the applications for

    cross-examination filed by the petitioner-NHAI have been dismissed.

    8. While advancing his submissions, Mr. Kang submitted that the

    learned Arbitrator has erroneously recorded in the impugned order that there are

    specific directions from this Court to complete the hearing by 28.02.2026,

    whereas as per the order passed by the Coordinate Bench of this Court issuing

    general directions vide Annexure P-9, the last date for disposal would be

    30.06.2026 because it was so observed that the cases instituted during the years

    2021 to 2023 shall be disposed of before 30.06.2026 and in the present case, the

    arbitration proceedings commenced on 21.12.2022 and therefore, the last date

    for disposal would be 30.06.2026 and not 28.02.2026. He further submitted that

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    the learned Arbitrator has hurriedly proceeded with the arbitral proceedings

    after deciding the applications for cross-examination with a view to finally

    dispose of the matter by 28.02.2026, which was not in accordance with the

    general directions issued by the Coordinate Bench of this Court vide Annexure

    P-9. He also submitted that the petitioner-NHAI had a right to cross-examine

    the witnesses, who had tendered their affidavit-cum-examination-in-chief into

    evidence and therefore, adequate opportunity ought to have been granted by the

    learned Arbitrator in this regard since it was necessary for the proper

    adjudication of the case of arbitration and because of this reason, the aforesaid

    impugned order, vide which the applications for cross-examination were

    dismissed, is liable to be set aside and the learned Arbitrator be directed to

    allow the cross-examination of the witnesses before finalizing the award.

    9. On the other hand, Mr. Somesh Arora, Addl. A.G., Punjab

    submitted that although the learned Arbitrator is a statutory Arbitrator and

    exercises his powers in a quasi-judicial capacity but assistance in the present

    case is required from the State on correct facts with regard to the factum of

    passing various orders by the learned Arbitrator after the petition was disposed

    of by this Court vide Annexure P-12 on 16.01.2026 as well as with regard to the

    facts relating to the order passed by a Coordinate Bench of this Court vide

    Annexure P-9 while issuing general directions. He submitted that as per the

    directions issued by the Coordinate Bench of this Court vide Annexure P-9,

    which contain general directions for the statutory Arbitrators throughout the

    States of Punjab and Haryana hearing arbitration cases under Section 3G(5) of

    the National Highways Act, the last date for disposal in the present case was

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    28.02.2026 and not 30.06.2026. He also submitted that it was because of

    various adjournments being sought by the learned counsel for the petitioner-

    NHAI from the learned Arbitrator that the matter was delayed.

    10. The learned State counsel supplied photocopies of the procedural

    orders passed by the learned Arbitrator from 02.01.2026 onwards. The same are

    hereby taken on record as Mark-‘X’. The Registry is directed to tag the same at

    an appropriate place in the paper-book.

    11. Learned counsel for respondent No.1 (landloser) appearing through

    video conferencing prayed for dismissal of the writ petition.

    12. I have heard the learned counsels for the parties.

    13. The arbitral proceedings in the present case under Section 3G(5) of

    the National Highways Act commenced on 21.12.2022 but the award was

    reserved by the learned Arbitrator on 19.07.2024. However, respondent No.1

    filed a writ petition before this Court and a Coordinate Bench of this Court vide

    order dated 20.12.2024 (Annexure P-6) stayed the passing of the final award

    and thereafter, the said petition was withdrawn on 12.08.2025 (Annexure P-8)

    with liberty to respondent No.1 to file a fresh petition with better particulars.

    When a fresh petition was filed by respondent No.1, the same was disposed of

    by this Court vide order dated 16.01.2026 (Annexure P-12) and the following

    order was passed:-

    “1. The present petition has been filed under Articles
    226/227 of the Constitution of India for issuance of a writ in
    the nature of certiorari for quashing the order/draft award
    dated 07.01.2025, whereby a draft award has been passed by
    De-Jure Arbitrator in a sealed cover, as the same has not
    been pronounced by the arbitrator within the mandated

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    period as enshrined under Section 29A of the Arbitration and
    Conciliation Act, 1996 (hereinafter referred to as ‘the Act’),
    with a further prayer to consider the same in the light of
    Section 29A of the Act.

    2. Mr. Amit Jhanji, learned Senior Counsel for the
    petitioner with Mr. Mandeep Nagpal, learned counsel
    submitted that the Commissioner, Patiala Division, Patiala is
    a statutory authority to act as an Arbitrator under
    Section 3(G)(5) of the National Highways Act, 1956 and
    the matter remained pending before the earlier
    Arbitrator/Commissioner from the year 2022 but the same
    was never concluded by him and in fact, a writ petition was
    filed by the petitioner in which an interim order was passed
    vide Annexure P-14 dated 20.12.2024 that in the meantime,
    the passing of the final award shall remain stayed till the
    next date. Thereafter, the Arbitrator-cum-Commissioner,
    Patiala Division, Patiala vide order dated 07.01.2025
    stated that the award has been drafted and put in a sealed
    cover and the same will not be pronounced in view of the
    aforesaid interim order passed by this Court. The
    aforesaid writ petition was thereafter dismissed as
    withdrawn with liberty to file a fresh petition vide
    Annexure P-16 dated 12.08.2025. He submitted that
    the aforesaid draft award is still in a sealed cover and that
    the Commissioner being statutory Arbitrator is required
    to hear the parties and pass a final award in accordance
    with law.

    3. At this stage, Mr. K.S. Kang, learned counsel for the
    respondent-NHAI submitted that he has sought specific
    instructions to state that it will be in the interest of justice if
    the new incumbent, who is the Arbitrator-cum-
    Commissioner, hears the final arguments of the case and

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    pass an award in accordance with law, as the order dated
    07.01.2025 was passed by the earlier Arbitrator, who has
    since demitted the office.

    4. Mr. Somesh Arora, learned Additional Advocate
    General, Punjab has submitted that it will be in the interest
    of justice in case the new incumbent, who is the Arbitrator-
    cum-Commissioner, passes an award after hearing both the
    parties in accordance with law.

    5. After hearing the learned counsels for the parties,
    this Court is of the considered view that since all the learned
    counsels for the parties are ad idem that considering the
    peculiar facts and circumstances whereby the statutory
    Arbitrator who is the Commissioner has now changed,
    whereas the earlier Arbitrator has kept the draft award in a
    sealed cover, it will be in the interest of justice to direct the
    learned Arbitrator-cum-Commissioner to pass the award in
    accordance with law after hearing all the parties. Till the
    time the award is passed, the draft award which was kept in
    a sealed cover shall not be opened.

    6. In view of the above, the present petition stands
    disposed of.”

    14. A perusal of the aforesaid would show that the petition was

    disposed of by consent of the parties, who were ad idem and in view of the

    peculiar facts and circumstances, where the statutory Arbitrator, who had kept

    the draft award in a sealed cover had already demitted the office, it was directed

    that the new Arbitrator shall pass the award in accordance with law after

    hearing all the parties and till the time the award is passed, the draft award kept

    in a sealed cover shall not be opened. The aforesaid order was passed by this

    Court on 16.01.2026 and thereafter, the arbitral proceedings commenced,

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    regarding which procedural orders have been supplied by the learned State

    counsel in the Court (Mark-‘X’). A perusal of the aforesaid procedural orders

    would show that the matter was taken up by the learned Arbitrator on

    19.01.2026, whereby it was adjourned on account of filing of Vakalatnama and

    thereafter, the matter was taken up on 23.01.2026 but due to a resolution passed

    by the District Bar Association, the matter was adjourned. Subsequently, the

    matter was taken up by the learned Arbitrator on 30.01.2026 and on that date

    the counsel for the petitioner-NHAI was not present and requested for an

    adjournment through e-mail and the order passed by this Court on 16.01.2026

    as aforesaid was also taken note of. Thereafter, the matter was taken up by the

    learned Arbitrator on 03.02.2026, whereby the learned counsel for the

    petitioner-NHAI requested to file an application for cross-examination and

    thereafter, the matter was taken up on 10.02.2026 and it was observed that the

    Tribunal is to proceed further as per procedure of Section 19 of the Act in a time

    frame manner and the matter was adjourned to 13.02.2026 for consideration.

    On 13.02.2026, the counsel for the petitioner-NHAI sought time to file reply to

    the applications moved by the learned counsels for the respondents. Thereafter,

    the matter was taken up by the learned Arbitrator on 16.02.2026 and the same

    was again adjourned for consideration of the applications seeking cross-

    examination of the witnesses. Thereafter, on 18.02.2026, the counsel for the

    petitioner-NHAI requested the Tribunal to give time for briefing the Tribunal on

    the judgments pertaining to the applications filed by him and it was so directed

    by the learned Arbitrator that the judgments and counter judgments, if any, shall

    be filed by 10.00 A.M. tomorrow i.e. 19.02.2026 and in this way, the matter was

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    adjourned to 19.02.2026. Thereafter, on 19.02.2026, the learned Arbitrator

    observed that the Tribunal is hearing the matter on day-to-day basis to dispose

    of the matter timely and the applications which were filed were dismissed by

    way of a separate order, which is the impugned order in the present case i.e.

    Annexure P-25 and the matter was then adjourned for final arguments to the

    next day i.e. 20.02.2026. On 20.02.2026, the counsel for the petitioner-NHAI

    sought an adjournment, which was granted by the learned Arbitrator, who made

    it clear that no further adjournment will be granted on the adjourned date i.e.

    23.02.2026. Subsequently, the matter was taken up by the learned Arbitrator on

    23.02.2026 and the counsel for the petitioner-NHAI again requested for an

    adjournment beyond 27.02.2026 in view of the Bar Association Resolution. The

    matter was then fixed for 25.02.2026 and on that date, it was so observed by the

    learned Arbitrator that a number of opportunities have already been granted to

    respective parties to argue the matter but the same were not availed and

    thereafter, in the interest of justice, the matter was adjourned to 27.02.2026 by

    noting that the last date for passing the award is 28.02.2026.

    15. As to whether the learned Arbitrator was required to pass the award

    on or before 28.02.2026 is clear from the general directions issued by the

    Coordinate Bench of this Court vide order dated 24.12.2025 (Annexure P-9).

    The aforesaid order passed by the Coordinate Bench of this Court is reproduced

    as under:-

    “In pursuance to the order dated 09.12.2025, affidavit
    of Sh. Anurag Rastogi, IAS, Chief Secretary to the
    Government of Haryana along with letter dated 19.12.2025,
    on behalf of respondent No.5 and a short reply dated

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    17.12.2025 by way of affidavit of Sh. KAP Sinha, Chief
    Secretary to the Government of Punjab, on behalf of
    respondent No.6, have been filed in Court and the same was
    taken on record vide order dated 18.12.2025.

    A perusal of the letter dated 19.12.2025 shows that the
    Chief Secretary, Haryana, has directed the Additional Chief
    Secretary, Revenue and Disaster Management Department,
    to monitor all pending arbitration cases arising out of
    proceedings under Section 3G(5) of the National Highways
    Act, 1956, and further to review the progress thereof on a
    regular basis through the Divisional Commissioners and
    Deputy Commissioners.

    Along with the affidavits, district-wise and year-wise
    details of pending arbitration cases under Section 3G(5) of
    the Act have also been placed on record.

    The affidavit of Sh. Anurag Rastogi, IAS, Chief
    Secretary to the Government of Haryana along with letter
    dated 19.12.2025, on behalf of respondent No.5 further
    reveal that all the Divisional Commissioners have been
    directed to ensure disposal of the pending cases as per the
    following timelines:

    i) All cases up to the year 2020 by 28.02.2026;

    ii) Cases instituted between 2021-2023 by 31.03.2026;

    iii) Cases instituted during 2024-2025 by 30.06.2026;

    iv) All fresh cases within a period of six months from
    the date of institution.

    The above communication clearly reflects the intention
    of the State Government to ensure expeditious disposal of
    long-pending arbitration matters.

    However, keeping in view the year-wise pendency, the
    volume of cases reflected in the said charts, and the
    requirement of following due procedure under law, including

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    grant of proper opportunity of hearing to the parties, this
    Court is of the considered view that the aforesaid timelines
    require suitable rationalisation so as to make them practical,
    workable and legally sustainable.

    Accordingly, the following directions are issued:

    i. All pending arbitration cases up to the year 2020
    shall be disposed of on or before 28.02.2026.
    ii. Cases instituted during the years 2021 to 2023 shall
    be disposed of within the next three months, i.e. by
    30.06.2026.

    iii. Cases instituted during the year 2024 shall be
    disposed of within a further period of six months, i.e.
    positively by 31.12.2026.

    iv. Cases instituted during the years 2025, endeavour
    shall also be disposed of such cases by 31.12.2026.

    However, said period may be further extended by
    another six months and cases shall be disposed of
    positively by 30.06.2027.

    v. As far as freshly instituted cases are concerned, the
    Arbitrators shall endeavour to decide the same
    expeditiously; however, they shall be at liberty to
    decide such cases within the statutory period of one
    year, as recording of pleadings and evidence is
    required and any undue haste may give rise to
    avoidable legal complications.

    It has been pointed out by learned counsel for the
    parties that although year-wise details have been furnished,
    however the particulars of the pending arbitration cases,
    including the names of the parties whose claims are pending;
    whether the claimant is the landowner or NHAI; the year of
    initiation of proceedings under Section 3G, and the present
    stage of such proceedings, are yet to be provided. As such,

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    the same be tabulated and placed before this Court on or
    before the next date of hearing.

    List on 05.03.2026.

    In the meanwhile, learned Arbitrators shall timely
    update the dates of hearings to the concerned Advocates.

    It is made clear that in case the aforesaid schedule is
    not followed, learned Arbitrators shall be personally held
    liable for payment of cost of litigation for delaying the
    adjudication. In addition, it is also directed that all
    arbitration cases wherein, the arguments have been heard
    and judgments have been reserved for more than one month,
    the final outcome be pronounced on or before 28.02.2026 by
    all the Arbitrators throughout the States of Punjab and
    Haryana.

    Further, if final adjudication is not pronounced, the
    learned Arbitrator shall be liable to pay cost of Rs.50,000/-
    to the landowners concerned for the delay in disposal of the
    arbitration proceedings and the cost shall be borne by the
    learned Arbitrator from his/her own pocket and shall not be
    treated as a burden upon the State exchequer.

    A copy of this order be circulated to all the Divisional
    Commissioners throughout the State of Punjab and also the
    Deputy Commissioners in the State of Haryana.

    Learned Chief Secretaries of both the States are
    requested to monitor the progress and compliance of
    aforesaid order themselves or through their administrative
    secretaries to ensure the necessary compliance.

    To be shown in the urgent list.”

    16. A perusal of the aforesaid would show that although a year-wise

    time framework has been fixed for the pending arbitration cases i.e. cases upto

    the year 2020, 2021 to 2023, during the year 2024 and those instituted in 2025

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    but at the same time, in the later part of the order, the Coordinate Bench of this

    Court also directed that for the cases where arguments have been heard and

    judgments have been reserved for more than one month, the final outcome be

    pronounced on or before 28.02.2026 by all the Arbitrators throughout the States

    of Punjab and Haryana. In this way, it was clear from the aforesaid order that in

    those cases where the Arbitrators have reserved the awards/judgments, the last

    date would be 28.02.2026 throughout the States of Punjab and Haryana. In the

    present case, the learned Arbitrator had also reserved the award/judgment,

    which stood reserved as of the day on which the Coordinate Bench of this Court

    passed the aforesaid order on 24.12.2025 and therefore, the last date for

    pronouncing the award/judgment as fixed by the Coordinate Bench of this

    Court was 28.02.2026. The aforesaid order passed by the Coordinate Bench of

    this Court had attained finality and was not challenged by any of the parties and

    therefore, it was binding not only on the learned Arbitrator but also on the

    petitioner-NHAI, which was party to the said petition.

    17. The argument which was raised by the learned counsel for the

    petitioner-NHAI that the last date fixed for the learned Arbitrator was

    30.06.2026 is totally misconceived and factually incorrect. In fact in the present

    case, since at the time when the Coordinate Bench of this Court passed the

    order, the award was reserved, the last date for pronouncement was 28.02.2026

    and therefore, the learned Arbitrator has rightly observed in the impugned order

    that in the present case, the last date is 28.02.2026.

    18. Following dates are relevant to be noted:-

    i) Award received by earlier Arbitrator on 19.07.2024.

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    ii) A Coordinate Bench of this Court on 20.12.2024 stayed the

    passing of Award till next date (Annexure P-6) in a writ petition.

    iii) Aforesaid writ petition withdrawn on 12.08.2025 seeking

    liberty to file fresh (Annexure P-8).

    iv) A Coordinate Bench issued general directions on 24.12.2025

    fixing time-frame work (Annexure P-9). Specific directions were

    issued that all arbitration cases wherein arguments have been heard

    and judgments have been reserved for more than one month, the

    final outcome be pronounced on or before 28.02.2026.

    19. In this way, the last date for deciding was 28.02.2026 in the present

    case since on the day when Coordinate Bench issued general directions, the

    Award was reserved and there was no interim order in operation.

    20. After this Court disposed of the petition vide Annexure P-12

    directing the learned Arbitrator to decide the arbitral proceedings despite the

    fact that the draft award was kept in a sealed cover, the learned Arbitrator had

    been trying his level best to hear both the parties and to decide the matter within

    the stipulated time as aforesaid i.e. by 28.02.2026 but from the perusal of the

    procedural orders supplied by the learned State counsel today, which have been

    taken on record as Mark-‘X’, it appears that on number of occasions the matter

    was adjourned at the request of the learned counsel for the petitioner-NHAI and

    also due to the filing of applications for cross-examination of witnesses.

    Therefore, the petitioner-NHAI was also at fault for seeking adjournments from

    the learned Arbitrator despite the fact that the time available for concluding the

    proceedings was very limited.

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    21. So far as the impugned order (Annexure P-25) is concerned, a

    perusal of the same would show that the learned Arbitrator has specifically

    observed that upon examining the files, it has come to his notice that the matter

    was earlier processed on the basis of requisite procedure of the Tribunal and

    after giving proper opportunity for completion of pleadings in the shape of

    reply, evidence etc., his predecessor after hearing the arguments of all the

    parties concerned had reserved the cases for pronouncement of the orders. It

    was further observed by the learned Arbitrator that allowing of the applications

    filed for cross-examination would rather result in de novo proceedings of the

    present cases, which cannot be permitted especially in view of the aforesaid

    order passed by the Coordinate Bench of this Court vide Annexure P-9,

    whereby time framework has been fixed and in the present case, it was

    28.02.2026. The impugned order has been passed on 19.02.2026 by the learned

    Arbitrator vide Annexure P-25.

    22. The learned counsel for the petitioner-NHAI had also prayed that

    further proceedings before the learned Arbitrator be stayed because opportunity

    has to be given to the petitioner-NHAI for cross-examination of the witnesses.

    Such an argument raised by the learned counsel for the petitioner-NHAI is

    totally unsustainable and is liable to be rejected.

    23. There is no doubt that 28.02.2026 is the last date for the learned

    Arbitrator to decide the matter in view of the specific directions issued by a

    Coordinate Bench of this Court, as reproduced above. Before proceeding

    further, it will be just and proper to refer to Section 5 of the Arbitration and

    Conciliation Act, 1996, which is reproduced as under:-

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    “5. Extent of judicial intervention.–Notwithstanding
    anything contained in any other law for the time being in
    force, in matters governed by this Part, no judicial
    authority shall intervene except where so provided in this
    Part.”

    24. The law with regard to as to whether and when the High Courts

    should interfere under the provisions of Article of 226/227 of the Constitution

    of India is no longer res integra. A Seven Judge Constitution Bench of Hon’ble

    Supreme Court in M/s SBP & Co. versus Patel Engineering Ltd. & Another,

    (2005) 8 SCC 618 while dealing with the nature of the orders passed under

    Section 11 of the Arbitration Act discussed the scope of judicial intervention in

    paras No.45, 46 & 47(vi) of the judgment. It was so observed that Arbitral

    Tribunal is a creation of an Agreement between the parties even though it is

    constituted on the basis of order passed by the Chief Justice/High Court if any

    occasion arises but the parties submit themselves to the Arbitrator on the basis

    of Agreement between the parties which is therefore contractual in nature.

    Rationale and objective of minimising the judicial intervention was also

    discussed. In the concluding part, it was so observed that once the matter

    reaches Arbitral Tribunal or Sole Arbitrator then the High Court would

    not interfere with the order passed by Arbitrator or Arbitral Tribunal during the

    course of the arbitration proceedings and the parties could approach the

    Court only in terms of Section 37 of the Arbitration Act or in terms of

    Section 34 of the Arbitration Act. Paras No.45, 46 & 47(vi) are reproduced as

    under:-

    “45. It is seen that some High Courts have proceeded on the
    basis that any order passed by an Arbitral Tribunal during

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    arbitration, would be capable of being challenged under Article
    226
    or 227 of the Constitution. We see no warrant for such an
    approach. Section 37 makes certain orders of the Arbitral Tribunal
    appealable. Under Section 34, the aggrieved party has an avenue
    for ventilating its grievances against the award including any in-
    between orders that might have been passed by the Arbitral
    Tribunal acting under Section 16 of the Act. The party aggrieved
    by any order of the Arbitral Tribunal, unless has a right of appeal
    under Section 37 of the Act, has to wait until the award is passed
    by the Tribunal. This appears to be the scheme of the Act. The
    Arbitral Tribunal is, after all, a creature of a contract between the
    parties, the arbitration agreement, even though, if the occasion
    arises, the Chief Justice may constitute it based on the contract
    between the parties. But that would not alter the status of the
    Arbitral Tribunal. It will still be a forum chosen by the parties by
    agreement. We, therefore, disapprove of the stand adopted by some
    of the High Courts that any order passed by the Arbitral Tribunal
    is capable of being corrected by the High Court under Article 226
    or 227 of the Constitution. Such an intervention by the High Courts
    is not permissible.

    46. The object of minimising judicial intervention while the
    matter is in the process of being arbitrated upon, will certainly be
    defeated if the High Court could be approached under Article 227
    or under Article 226 of the Constitution against every order made
    by the Arbitral Tribunal. Therefore, it is necessary to indicate that
    once the arbitration has commenced in the Arbitral Tribunal,
    parties have to wait until the award is pronounced unless, of
    course, a right of appeal is available to them under Section 37 of
    the Act even at an earlier stage.

    47. We, therefore, sum up our conclusions as follows:

             (i) to (v)    xx            xx           xx          xx
    
    
    
    
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    (vi) Once the matter reaches the Arbitral Tribunal or the sole
    arbitrator, the High Court would not interfere with the orders
    passed by the arbitrator or the Arbitral Tribunal during the course
    of the arbitration proceedings and the parties could approach the
    Court only in terms of Section 37 of the Act or in terms of Section
    34
    of the Act. (vii) to (xii) xx xx xx xx”

    25. In M/s Deep Industries Limited versus Oil and Natural Gas

    Corporation Limited and another, 2020 (15) SCC 706 order passed by the

    learned Arbitral Tribunal under Section 17 of the Arbitration Act for staying the

    black-listing order was challenged before the learned City Civil Court which

    dismissed the appeal under Section 37 of the Arbitration Act. This order under

    Section 37 of the Arbitration Act was challenged under Article 227 of the

    Constitution of India and it was allowed by the High Court and the order of the

    City Civil Court was set aside. Thereafter, the Contractor assailed the same

    before Hon’ble Supreme Court in the aforesaid judgment. Argument was raised

    regarding the maintainability of filing the said petition under Article 227 of the

    Constitution of India by referring to Section 5 of the Arbitration Act as well as

    the judgment of Hon’ble Supreme Court in M/s SBP & Company versus Patel

    Engineering Ltd. & Another’s case (Supra). Another argument was also raised

    by the appellant that it was not a case of lack of jurisdiction. Hon’ble Supreme

    Court held that against the order of Section 37 of the Arbitration Act, no petition

    under Article 226 & 227 of the Constitution of India can be filed. It was further

    held that although Article 227 of the Constitution of India remained untouched

    by the provisions of Section 5 of the Arbitration Act but it is only when the

    orders that lack patent inherent jurisdiction that the provisions of Article 227 of

    the Constitution of India can be invoked. It was also discussed that the

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    legislative policy pertaining to general revisional jurisdiction under Section 115

    of the Code of Civil Procedure that revision under Section 115 of the Code of

    Civil Procedure lies only against the final order and not against the

    interlocutory orders, is also relevant. In the present petition as well, the

    impugned orders are not the final orders and are only interlocutory or

    procedural orders. Para Nos.16, 17 & 24 are reproduced as under:-

    “16. Most significant of all is the non-obstante clause
    contained in Section 5 which states that notwithstanding anything
    contained in any other law, in matters that arise under Part I of the
    Arbitration Act
    , no judicial authority shall intervene except where
    so provided in this Part. Section 37 grants a constricted right of
    first appeal against certain judgments and orders and no others.
    Further, the statutory mandate also provides for one bite at the
    cherry, and interdicts a second appeal being filed (See Section
    37(2)
    of the Act)

    17. This being the case, there is no doubt whatsoever that if
    petitions were to be filed under Articles 226/227 of the Constitution
    against orders passed in appeals under Section 37, the entire
    arbitral process would be derailed and would not come to fruition
    for many years. At the same time, we cannot forget that Article 227
    is a constitutional provision which remains untouched by the non-
    obstante clause of Section 5 of the Act. In these circumstances,
    what is important to note is that though petitions can be filed under
    Article 227 against judgments allowing or dismissing first appeals
    under Section 37 of the Act, yet the High Court would be extremely
    circumspect in interfering with the same, taking into account the
    statutory policy as adumbrated by us herein above so that
    interference is restricted to orders that are passed which are
    patently lacking in inherent jurisdiction.

                       xx     xx     xx      xx
    
    
    
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    24. Mr Rohatgi is also correct in pointing out that the
    legislative policy qua the general revisional jurisdiction that is
    contained by the amendments made to Section 115 CPC should
    also be kept in mind when the High Courts dispose of petitions
    filed under Article 227. The legislative policy is that no revision
    lies if an alternative remedy of appeal is available. Further, even
    when a revision does lie, it lies only against a final disposal of the
    entire matter and not against interlocutory orders. These
    amendments were considered in Tek Singh v. Shashi Verma 18 in
    which this Court adverted to these amendments and then stated:

    (SCC p. 681, paras 5-6)
    “5. ……A reading of this proviso will show that, after 1999,
    revision petitions filed under Section 115 CPC are not
    maintainable against interlocutory orders.

    6. …..Even otherwise, it is well settled that the revisional
    jurisdiction under Section 115 CPC is to be exercised to
    correct jurisdictional errors only. This is well settled. In DLF
    Housing & Construction Co. (P) Ltd. v. Sarup Singh
    19 this
    Court held: (SCC pp. 811-12, para 5)
    “5. …The position thus seems to be firmly established that
    while exercising the jurisdiction under Section 115, it is not
    competent to the High Court to correct errors of fact
    however gross or even errors of law unless the said errors
    have relation to the jurisdiction of the Court to try the
    dispute itself. Clauses (a) and (b) of this section on their
    plain reading quite clearly do not cover the present case. It
    was not contended, as indeed it was not possible to contend,
    that the learned Additional District Judge had either
    exercised a jurisdiction not vested in him by law or had
    failed to exercise a jurisdiction so vested in him, in recording
    the order that the proceedings under reference be stayed till
    the decision of the appeal by the High Court in the

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    proceedings for specific performance of the agreement in
    question. Clause (c) also does not seem to apply to the case
    in hand. The words “illegally” and “with material
    irregularity” as used in this clause do not cover either errors
    of fact or of law; they do not refer to the decision arrived at
    but merely to the manner in which it is reached. The errors
    contemplated by this clause may, in our view, relate either to
    breach of some provision of law or to material defects of
    procedure affecting the ultimate decision. and not to errors
    either of fact or of law, after the prescribed formalities have
    been complied with. The High Court does not seem to have
    adverted to the limitation imposed on its power under
    Section 115 of the Code. Merely because the High Court
    would have felt inclined, had it dealt with the matter initially,
    to come to a different conclusion on the question of
    continuing stay of the reference proceedings pending
    decision of the appeal, could hardly justify interference on
    revision under Section 115 of the Code when there was no
    illegality or material irregularity committed by the
    learned Additional District Judge in his manner of dealing
    with this question. It seems to us that in this matter the
    High Court treated the revision virtually as if it was an
    appeal.”

    26. In Bhaven Construction through Authorized Signatory Premji

    Bhai K. Shah versus Executive Engineers, Sardar Sarovar Narmada Nigam

    Limited and another, (2022) 1 SCC 75 an application was filed before learned

    Arbitrator under Section 16 of the Arbitration Act disputing the appointment of

    Sole Arbitrator. Against the aforesaid order in the application of Section 16 of

    the Arbitration Act, a petition under Articles 226/227 of the Constitution of

    India was filed in the High Court and the learned Single Judge dismissed the

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    same. However, on assailing the same by filing a Letter Patent Appeal, it was

    allowed and thereafter, an SLP was filed, wherein it was observed that in

    exceptional rarity when a party is left remediless under a statute or there is a

    clear bad faith then the provisions of Articles 226/227 of the Constitution of

    India can be resorted. Para Nos.11, 12, 13, 14, 18, 19 & 20 are reproduced as

    under:-

    11. Having heard both the parties and perusing the material
    available on record, the question which needs to be
    answered is whether the arbitral process could be interfered
    under Articles 226/227 of the Constitution, and under what
    circumstance?

    12. We need to note that the Arbitration Act is a code in
    itself. This phrase is not merely perfunctory, but has definite
    legal consequences. One such consequence is spelled out
    under section 5 of the Arbitration Act, which reads as under

    “5. Extent of judicial intervention.- Notwithstanding
    anything contained in any other law for the time being
    in force, in matters governed by this Part, no judicial
    authority shall intervene except where so provided in
    this Part.”

    (emphasis supplied)

    The non-obstante clause is provided to uphold the
    intention of the legislature as provided in the Preamble to
    adopt UNCITRAL Model Law and Rules, to reduce excessive
    judicial interference which is not contemplated under the
    Arbitration Act.

    13. The Arbitration Act itself gives various procedures
    and forums to challenge the appointment of an arbitrator.
    The framework clearly portrays an intention to address most
    of the issues within the ambit of the Act itself, without there

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    being scope for any extra statutory mechanism to provide
    just and fair solutions.

    14. Any party can enter into an arbitration agreement
    for resolving any disputes capable of being arbitrable.
    Parties, while entering into such agreements, need to fulfil
    the basic ingredients provided under Section 7 of the
    Arbitration Act. Arbitration being a creature of contract,
    gives a flexible framework for the parties to agree for their
    own procedure with minimalistic stipulations under the
    Arbitration Act.

    xx xx xx xx

    18. In any case, the hierarchy in our legal framework,
    mandates that a legislative enactment cannot curtail a
    Constitutional right. In Nivedita Sharma v. Cellular
    Operators Association of India, (2011) 14 SCC 337, this
    Court referred to several judgments and held:

    “11. We have considered the respective
    arguments/submissions. There cannot be any dispute
    that the power of the High Courts to issue directions,
    orders or writs including writs in the nature of habeas
    corpus, certiorari, mandamus, quo warranto and
    prohibition under Article 226 of the Constitution is a
    basic feature of the Constitution and cannot be
    curtailed by parliamentary legislation – L. Chandra
    Kumar v. Union of India
    , (1997) 3 SCC 261. However,
    it is one thing to say that in exercise of the power
    vested in it under Article 226 of the Constitution, the
    High Court can entertain a writ petition against any
    order passed by or action taken by the State and/or its
    agency/instrumentality or any public authority or
    order passed by a quasi-judicial body/authority, and it
    is an altogether different thing to say that each and

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    every petition filed under Article 226 of the
    Constitution must be entertained by the High Court as
    a matter of course ignoring the fact that the aggrieved
    person has an effective alternative remedy. Rather, it is
    settled law that when a statutory forum is created by
    law for redressal of grievances, a writ petition should
    not be entertained ignoring the statutory
    dispensation.”

    (emphasis supplied)
    It is therefore, prudent for a Judge to not exercise
    discretion to allow judicial interference beyond the
    procedure established under the enactment. This
    power needs to be exercised in exceptional rarity,
    wherein one party is left remediless under the statute
    or a clear ‘bad faith’ shown by one of the parties. This
    high standard set by this Court is in terms of the
    legislative intention to make the arbitration fair and
    efficient.

    19. In this context we may observe Deep Industries Ltd. v. ONGC
    wherein interplay of Section 5 of the Arbitration Act and Article
    227
    of the Constitution was analysed as under: (SCC p. 714,
    paras 16-17)
    “16. Most significant of all is the non obstante clause
    contained in Section 5 which states that
    notwithstanding anything contained in any other law,
    in matters that arise under Part I of the Arbitration
    Act
    , no judicial authority shall intervene except where
    so provided in this Part. Section 37 grants a
    constricted right of first appeal against certain
    judgments and orders and no others. Further, the
    statutory mandate also provides for one bite at the

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    cherry, and interdicts a second appeal being filed [see
    Section 37(2) of the Act].

    17. This being the case, there is no doubt whatsoever
    that if petitions were to be filed under Articles 226/227
    of the Constitution against orders passed in appeals
    under Section 37, the entire arbitral process would be
    derailed and would not come to fruition for many
    years. At the same time, we cannot forget that Article
    227
    is a constitutional provision which remains
    untouched by the non obstante clause of Section 5 of
    the Act. In these circumstances, what is important to
    note is that though petitions can be filed under Article
    227
    against judgments allowing or dismissing first
    appeals under Section 37 of the Act, yet the High
    Court would be extremely circumspect in interfering
    with the same, taking into account the statutory policy
    as adumbrated by us hereinabove so that interference
    is restricted to orders that are passed which are
    patently lacking in inherent jurisdiction.”

    (emphasis supplied)

    20. In the instant case, Respondent 1 has not been able to show
    exceptional circumstance or “bad faith” on the part of the
    appellant, to invoke the remedy under Article 227 of the
    Constitution. No doubt the ambit of Article 227 is broad and
    pervasive, however, the High Court should not have used its
    inherent power to interject the arbitral process at this stage. It is
    brought to our notice that subsequent to the impugned order of the
    sole arbitrator, a final award was rendered by him on merits, which
    is challenged by Respondent 1 in a separate Section 34
    application, which is pending.”

    27. Recently, another Seven Judge Constitution Bench of Hon’ble

    Supreme Court in Interplay Between Arbitration Agreements Under

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    Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 and Stamp Act, 1899, in Re:,

    (2024) 6 SCC 1 again while largely dealing with provisions of Section 11 of the

    Arbitration Act also discussed the provision of Section 5 of the Arbitration Act.

    It was observed that one of the objectives of the Arbitration Act was to

    minimize the supervisory role of Courts in the arbitration proceedings. The

    principle of minimum judicial interference was also discussed and it was so

    observed that the principle of judicial non-interference in arbitration

    proceedings respects the autonomy of the parties to determine the arbitral

    procedures and this principle has also been incorporated in international

    instruments, including the New York Convention and the Model Law. Hon’ble

    Supreme Court observed that one of the main objectives of the Arbitration Act

    is to minimize the supervisory role of Courts in the arbitral process and party

    autonomy and settlement of disputes by an arbitral tribunal are the hallmarks of

    arbitration law. Section 5 gives effect to the true intention of the parties to have

    their disputes resolved through arbitration in a quick, efficient, and effective

    manner by minimizing judicial interference in the arbitral proceedings and the

    Parliament has enacted Section 5 to minimize the supervisory role of Courts in

    the arbitral process to the bare minimum and only to the extent “so provided”

    under the Part-I of Arbitration Act. Para Nos.76, 81, 82 and 186 of the aforesaid

    judgment are reproduced as under:-

    “76. The principle of judicial non-interference in arbitral
    proceedings is fundamental to both domestic as well as
    international commercial arbitration. The principle entails
    that the arbitral proceedings are carried out pursuant to the
    agreement of the parties or under the direction of the
    tribunal without unnecessary interference by the national

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    courts.61 This principle serves to proscribe judicial
    interference in arbitral proceedings, which would undermine
    the objective of the parties in agreeing to arbitrate their
    disputes, their desire for less formal and more flexible
    procedures, and their desire for neutral and expert arbitral
    procedures.62 The principle of judicial non- interference in
    arbitral proceedings respects the autonomy of the parties to
    determine the arbitral procedures. This principle has also
    been incorporated in international instruments, including the
    New York Convention and the Model Law.

    xx xx xx xx

    81. One of the main objectives of the Arbitration Act is to
    minimize the supervisory role of courts in the arbitral
    process. Party autonomy and settlement of disputes by an
    arbitral tribunal are the hallmarks of arbitration law.
    Section 5 gives effect to the true intention of the parties to
    have their disputes resolved through arbitration in a quick,
    efficient, and effective manner by minimizing judicial
    interference in the arbitral proceedings. Parliament enacted
    Section 5 to minimize the supervisory role of courts in the
    arbitral process to the bare minimum, and only to the extent
    so provided” under the Part I of Arbitration. In doing so, the
    legislature did not altogether exclude the role of courts or
    judicial authorities in arbitral proceedings, but limited it to
    circumstances where the support of judicial authorities is
    required for the successful implementation and enforcement
    of the arbitral process. The Arbitration Act envisages the
    role of courts to “support arbitration process” by providing
    necessary aid and assistance when required by law in
    certain situations.

    82. Section 5 begins with the expression “notwithstanding
    anything contained in any other law for the time being in

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    force.” The non-obstante clause is Parliament’s addition to
    the Article 5 of the Model Law. It is of a wide amplitude and
    sets forth the legislative intent of limiting judicial
    intervention during the arbitral process. In the context of
    Section 5, this means that the provisions contained in Part I
    of the Arbitration Act
    ought to be given full effect and
    operation irrespective of any other law for the time
    being in force. It is now an established proposition of
    law that the legislature uses non-obstante clauses to remove
    all obstructions which might arise out of the provisions of
    any other law, which stand in the way of the operation
    of the legislation which incorporates the non-obstante
    clause.

    xx xx xx xx

    186. Section 5 is effectively rendered otiose by the
    interpretation given to it in N.N. Global (2). The Court failed
    to provide a reason for holding that Section 5 of the
    Arbitration Act does not have the effect of excluding the
    operation of Sections 33 and 35 of the Stamp Act in
    proceedings under Section 11 of the Arbitration Act. The non
    obstante clause in Section 5 does precisely this. In addition
    to the effect of the non obstante clause, the Arbitration Act is
    a special law. We must also be cognizant of the fact that one
    of objectives of the Arbitration Act was to minimise the
    supervisory role of Courts in the arbitral process.”

    28. Having heard the learned counsels for the parties and upon perusal

    of the procedural orders passed by the learned Arbitrator, which have been

    taken on record as Mark-‘X’, this Court is of the considered view that the

    present Civil Writ Petition is wholly devoid of merit. The law governing

    judicial interference in arbitral proceedings under Articles 226/227 of the

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    Constitution of India is well settled by Hon’ble Supreme Court that the High

    Courts ought not to interfere with interlocutory orders/procedural orders passed

    during arbitral proceedings except in cases of patent lack of jurisdiction, bad

    faith or cases of exceptional rarity, neither of which has been made out in the

    present case. The contention of the learned counsel for the petitioner-NHAI that

    the deadline for disposal was 30.06.2026 is wholly misconceived as the general

    directions issued by the Coordinate Bench vide order dated 24.12.2025

    specifically mandated pronouncement of all reserved awards by 28.02.2026,

    which was binding upon the petitioner-NHAI, which was itself a party thereto

    and the award in the present case had been reserved since 19.07.2024. This

    Court further notes that the petitioner-NHAI having sought repeated

    adjournments between 19.01.2026 and 25.02.2026 is itself substantially

    responsible for causing delay in the arbitral proceedings and thereafter, filing

    the present writ petition at the eleventh hour on 27.02.2026 i.e. one day before

    the deadline for passing of the award with the apparent object of obstructing the

    pronouncement of the award amounts to a blatant abuse of the process of

    this Court.

    29. In view of the aforesaid facts and circumstances, the present Civil

    Writ Petition is dismissed with costs of Rs.1,00,000/- (Rupees One Lakh). The

    petitioner-NHAI is hereby directed to deposit the aforesaid costs with the High

    Court Legal Services Committee, within a period of two months from today and

    thereafter, furnish the receipt of such deposit to the Registry of this Court. In

    case the aforesaid costs are not deposited by the petitioner within the aforesaid

    stipulated period, then this Court will further proceed in accordance with law,

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    including recovery of the same as arrears of land revenue and if the receipt of

    the aforesaid costs is not furnished by the petitioner to the Registry of the Court

    within two months, then the Registry shall list this case for compliance

    purposes after two months.

    
    
                                                      (JASGURPREET SINGH PURI)
    27.02.2026                                                JUDGE
    Chetan Thakur
    
    
                    Whether speaking/reasoned         :    Yes/No
                    Whether reportable                :    Yes/No
    
    
    
    
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