2026:HHC:34858 IN THE HIGH COURT OF HIMACHAL PRADESH, SHIMLA OMP(M) No.  : 304 of 2024 Decided on    : 19.08.2026 NHAI ...Appellant­applicant. Versus Kuldeep …Respondent The Hon’ble Mr. Justice Virender Singh, Judge. Whether approved for reporting?1 For the applicant : Ms. Sneh Bhimta, Advocate, vice   Ms.   Shreya   Chauhan, Advocate. For the respondent : None. Virender Singh, Judge (Oral) Applicant   has   preferred   the   accompanying appeal, under Section 37 of Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 (hereinafter referred to as ‘the Act’), against the order dated 18.11.2023, passed by learned District Judge, Bilaspur, H.P. in Arbitration Petition No. 96 of 2019, titled as “NHAI Versus Kuldeep”. 2. By   way   of   order   dated   18.11.2023,   the objections filed by the applicant under Section 34 of the Act, were ordered to be dismissed. 1 Whether Reporters of local papers may be allowed to see the judgment? Yes. 2 2026:HHC:34858 3. Since, the appeal has been filed after the expiry of prescribed period of limitation, as such, by moving the present application, delay has been sought to be condoned. 4. When   the   notices   were   issued   to   the   sole respondent   Kuldeep,   it   has   been   transpired   that   said Kuldeep had expired way back in the year 2016, when the lis was pending before the Arbitrator.   Meaning thereby, the award has been passed by the Arbitrator, in favour of a dead person and objections were also filed against a dead person, before the learned District Judge, Bilaspur. 5. In such situation, being guided by the decision of   Hon’ble   Supreme   Court   in  Gurnam   Singh   (dead) through   LRs   Versus   Gurbachan   Kaur   (dead)   through LRs, 2017 (13) SCC 414, wherein, it has been held that decree in favour of a dead person is nullity, this Court is left with no option, but to set aside the award passed by learned   District   Judge,   on   the   technical   defect   and   the matter is remanded back to the Arbitrator to decide the matter   afresh,   after   bringing   on   record   the   LRs   of   sole respondent Kuldeep. 6. As   the   matter   is   pending   since   long,   the Arbitrator is requested to decide the matter within a period 3 2026:HHC:34858 of three months, from the date of receipt of the copy of this order. 7. Pending application(s), if any, shall also stand disposed of. (Virender Singh) 13th August, 2026 Judge (Pramod Kumar)