HLV LIMITED Vs. AIRPORTS AUTHORITY OF INDIA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This bunch of proceedings essentially centre around one core question - whether disputes and differences relating to eviction and recovery of dues under lease deeds governing two parcels of land, fall within the scope of the arbitration agreements contained in the lease deeds, particularly in the light of the inherent deeming declarations and exclusions contained in the lease deeds.

(2.) Hotel Leela Venture, now HLV Ltd. ("Leela") and the Airports Authority of India, including the former International Airports Authority of India[The IAAI merged into the AAI under the AAI Act.] ("AAI") have executed three lease deeds in respect of land owned by AAI in favour of Leela. The first two lease deeds dated October 19, 1983 and November 22, 1983 were for lease of two parcels of land admeasuring 9,000 square feet each (" 18,000 Land") to enable Leela to construct a hotel and a flight kitchen. The lease was for a period until July 11, 2012 (i.e. 30 years).

(3.) Thereafter, on February 7, 1996, another lease deed was executed between the parties in respect of another parcel of land admeasuring 11,000 square metres ("11,000 Land") owned by AAI for Leela to construct a hotel wing on such land. This lease deed was for a period until March 31, 2024.