OD-2 ORDER SHEET IN THE HIGH COURT AT CALCUTTA ORIGINAL SIDE AP/37/2026 ASHISH AGARWAL AND ANOTHER VS MERLIN PROJECTS LIMITED BEFORE: The Hon’ble JUSTICE GAURANG KANTH Date : 10th March, 2026. Appearance Mr. Saurath Dutt, Adv. Mr. J. Datta, Adv. Mr. Biman Kr. Saha, Adv. ...for the petitioners Mr. Satadeep Bhattacharyya, Adv. Ms. Sriparna Mitra, Adv. Mr. Samriddha Sen, Adv. Mr. Saptarshi Datta, Adv. Ms. Srinjita Ghosh, Adv. Mr. Pourush Kanti Pal, Adv. Mr. Debdut More, Adv. ..for the respondent The Court: Affidavit of service is taken on record. The petitioner has filed the present petition under Section 29A of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 seeking extension of the mandate of the arbitral tribunal for conclusion of the arbitral proceedings and publication of the arbitral award. Learned for the petitioner submits that this Court vide order dated 7th May, 2024 appointed a sole arbitrator to adjudicate the disputes between the parties. The pleadings were completed on 30th August, 2024. With the consent of the parties, the mandate of the arbitral tribunal was extended by six months till 28th February, 2026. 2 Learned Counsel for the petitioner states that the matter is presently at the stage of final arguments and the tribunal has already conducted more than 36 sittings. Upon consideration of the submissions of the parties and the materials placed on record, this Court is satisfied that there has been no undue and unwarranted delay on the part of the learned sole arbitrator in concluding the proceedings. Having regard to the advanced stage of the proceedings and in the interest of justice, the mandate of the arbitral tribunal is extended further for a period of six months from today. The learned sole arbitrator is requested to make all reasonable endeavours to conclude the arbitral proceedings and publish the arbitral award within the extended time period. With the aforesaid observations, the present petition stands disposed of. (GAURANG KANTH, J.) S. A. AR (CR)