O.M.P.(MISC.)(COMM.) 937/2025 $~16 * IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI # CNR No. DLHC010904152025 + O.M.P.(MISC.)(COMM.) 937/2025 M/S SUNEHARI BAGH BUILDERS PVT LTD .....Petitioner Through: Mr. Avinash Kumar Trivedi, Advocate. versus INDIRA GANDHI NATIONAL OPEN UNIVERSITY & ANR. .....Respondents Through: Mr. Varun Jain and Ms. Megha Jain, Advocates. CORAM: HON'BLE MS. JUSTICE JYOTI SINGH O R D E R % 25.09.2026 I.A. 28598/2026 (Exemption) 1. Allowed, subject to all just exceptions. 2. Application stands disposed of. O.M.P.(MISC.)(COMM.) 937/2025 3. This petition is filed on behalf of the Petitioner under Section 29A (4) of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 seeking extension of the mandate of the learned Sole Arbitrator by twelve months. 4. Disputes having arisen between the parties concerning an Agreement related to the work of temporary classrooms at IGNOU, Maidan Garhi (balance work) in ARB.P. No. 29/2018, this Court directed Delhi This is a digitally signed order. 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 28/09/2026 at 11:34:57 O.M.P.(MISC.)(COMM.) 937/2025 International Arbitration Centre (DIAC) to appoint the Arbitrator. The Arbitrator was appointed, however, the Arbitrator recused himself before entering into reference. The newly appointed Arbitrator resigned on 09.11.2023, after the pleadings were completed. By order dated 07.12.2023 in O.M.P.(MISC.)(COMM.) No. 70/2023, Court extended the mandate of the Arbitrator till 01.06.2024 and directed DIAC to appoint a substitute Arbitrator as per law. 5. As averred in the petition, Petitioner made an application on 22.12.2023 before DIAC for appointing an Arbitrator with technical knowledge of civil engineering works from the panel of DIAC. Petitioner and Respondent both suggested five names each for appointment and on 27.05.2024, DIAC appointed a substitute Arbitrator. However, since the appointed Arbitrator was not entering upon reference, DIAC appointed the present Arbitrator, who resumed proceedings and currently, the arbitral proceedings are at the stage of final arguments. Mandate of the learned Arbitrator expired on 01.06.2024, however, due to the aforesaid changes in the Arbitrator, the same was not extended and hence, this petition is filed for extension. 6. Mr. Varun Jain, learned counsel for the Respondents, on instructions, submits that Respondents have no objection to the mandate of the Sole Arbitrator being extended. 7. For the reasons stated in the petition and with the consent of the parties, mandate of the learned Sole Arbitrator is extended by a period of six months from 25.09.2026. Considering that the arbitral proceedings commenced in 2018, it is directed that the learned Arbitrator shall make every endeavour to conclude the proceedings and pronounce the award This is a digitally signed order. 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 28/09/2026 at 11:34:57 O.M.P.(MISC.)(COMM.) 937/2025 within a maximum period of six months, as aforementioned. No further extension shall be granted. The period between 02.06.2024 till 24.09.2026 is regularized. 8. Petition is disposed of in the aforesaid terms. JYOTI SINGH, J SEPTEMBER 25, 2026/AK This is a digitally signed order. 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 28/09/2026 at 11:34:57