RAJEEV KUMAR VERMA Vs. SECRETARY, NATIONAL HIGHWAY AUTHORITY

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Petitioner-Rajeev Kumar Verma, has come up before this Court in instant petition filed under Sec. 29-A of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996, seeking following relief:-

(2.) Grievance of the petitioner is that pursuant to passing of the Award by CALA concerned, the parties offered themselves for arbitral proceedings, before Learned Arbitrator-cum-Divisional Commissioner, Shimla, who commenced the arbitral proceedings vide Case No.39/2019. It is averred that though arbitral proceedings continued since 2019 but Learned Arbitrator passed an order on 5/4/2023 [Annexure P-1], for keeping the arbitral proceedings in abeyance. It is in this background, the present petition has been filed, with the prayer to direct Learned Arbitrator to conclude the arbitral proceedings within a stipulated period by extending the time for concluding the arbitral proceedings under Sec. 29 A of Arbitration and Conciliation Act, by quashing the order dtd. 5/4/2023 [Annexure P-1].

(3.) Pursuant to the issuance of notice by this Court on 19/11/2025, Respondents were directed to file Reply and the matter was directed to be listed on 16/12/2025, when, Respondents sought more time to file Reply and accordingly the matter was posted for today [2/1/2026]. However, upon listing of the case today, Learned Counsel for both the Respondents state that no reply is intended to be filed on behalf of the Respondents.