VOLTAS LIMITED Vs. NCC LIMITED

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Petitioner- a company incorporated under the provisions of the Indian Companies Act, 1913, claims to be engaged in the execution of turnkey projects of heating, ventilation, air conditioning of entire buildings and large plants. Respondent a joint venture of M/s CRSSG-NCC(JV), was awarded construction and erection of a Medical College cum Hospital at Mandi, Himachal Pradesh, who had further awarded the work to petitioner vide letter of Intent dtd. 16/4/2010 for a fixed contract value of Rs.21.90 crores, whereunder petitioner was responsible for the supply, erection and commissioning of air conditioning equipment, in the five buildings, to be constructed by the respondent i.e. Hospital, Nursing College, Medical College, Administrative Block, and Utility Block, each having three to six floors. However, certain disputes arose between the parties during execution of the work and respondent invoked the bank guarantee to the tune of Rs.4.28 crores, followed by termination of work order on 1/7/2013. Thereafter, in a petition preferred by the petitioner, this Court vide order dtd. 30/8/2013 [in ARB.P. 284/2013] appointed an Arbitrator for adjudication of disputes between the parties.

(2.) Before commencement of arbitral proceedings, parties entered into Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) dtd. 18/9/2013 settling their differences, and agreeing to the resumption of the work on certain new terms and conditions. However, again certain disputes arose and petitioner filed petition under Sec. 11(5) of the Act [ARB. P. 292/2015] and vide order dtd. 13/8/2015, both the sides consented that the disputes may be referred to the Arbitrator already appointed by this Court vide order dtd. 30/8/2013 in ARB.P. 284/2013. The proceedings before the arbitral tribunal were at the stage of final hearing when due to Covid pandemic, the proceedings had to be deferred in January, 2020.

(3.) At the hearing, learned counsel appearing on behalf of petitioner has submitted that the parties were in communication with the learned Arbitrator through e-mail and on some occasions the arbitral proceedings were held further, however, some misunderstanding on the issue of fixing dates of hearings arose with the respondent herein and thereafter, the learned Arbitrator has recused himself and conveyed his inability to act as an Arbitrator.