$~15 * IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI + ARB.P. 853/2026 RAJNISH KUMAR SINGH .....Petitioner Through: Mr. Aashish Kumar and Mr. Rishit Kumar, Advs. versus NEXT GENERATION PROJECTS PRIVATE LTD.....Respondent Through: Mr. Saurabh Jha, Adv. CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE VIKAS MAHAJAN O R D E R % 26.05.2026 1. By this petition filed under Section 11(6) of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 (hereinafter, „the Act‟) petitioner seeks appointment of an Arbitrator to adjudicate the disputes between the parties under the Retainership Agreement dated 03.10.2023. The agreement provides for resolution of disputes by way of arbitration. Clause 4 of the said Service Agreement is an arbitration clause. 2. The disputes having arisen between the parties, the petitioner invoked the arbitration vide communication dated 06.02.2026, which did not elicit any response. 3. In this backdrop, petitioner was constrained to file the present petition under Section 11 of the Act. 4. Notice in this petition was issued on 12.05.2026. 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 29/05/2026 at 13:19:37 5. Mr. Saurabh Jha, learned counsel appearing on behalf of the respondent submits that the matter may be referred to mediation to explore the possibility of amicable resolution, and in the event of failure of mediation, the matter will stand referred to arbitration, which course is also acceptable to the learned counsel for the petitioner. 6. On being queried by the Court as to the existence of the arbitration clause, learned counsel for the respondent does not dispute the same. 7. Accordingly, without prejudice to the rights and contentions of the parties, the matter is referred to the mediation under the aegis of Delhi High Court Mediation & Conciliation Centre [in short, „Centre‟] to explore the possibility of an amicable settlement. 8. The parties are directed to appear before the Centre on 08.07.2026 at 03.00 P.M. 9. In case no settlement is arrived at between the parties within a period of four weeks or such further extended time as the parties may jointly agree, the matter shall stand referred to arbitration. 10. In view of the above, the present petition is disposed of with the following directions: (i) The disputes between the parties under the said Lease Agreement will stand referred to the Arbitrator if parties are unable to reach an amicable settlement within four weeks or till the further extended time as the parties may agree. (ii) Mr. Jasraj Singh Chhabra, Advocate; [Mob. 9582848319] E-mail: jasrajchhabra@gmail.com is appointed as the Sole Arbitrator, to adjudicate the disputes between the parties. (iii) The arbitration will be held under the aegis of the Delhi International 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 29/05/2026 at 13:19:37 Arbitration Centre, Delhi High Court, Sher Shah Road, New Delhi [hereinafter, referred to as the „DIAC‟]. The remuneration of the learned Arbitrator shall be in terms of DIAC (Administrative Cost and Arbitrators‟ Fees) Rules, 2018 or as the parties may agree. The DIAC may register the case forthwith. (iv) The learned Arbitrator shall furnish a declaration in terms of Section 12 of the Act prior to entering upon the reference. (v) It is made clear that all the rights and contentions of the parties are left open for adjudication by the learned arbitrator. (vi) The parties shall approach the DIAC within two weeks thereafter, in case of failure to reach an amicable settlement. VIKAS MAHAJAN, J MAY 26, 2026 N.S. ASWAL 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 29/05/2026 at 13:19:37