Whether the Chief Justice or his designate empowered u/s 11 to consider a request for arbitration, can grant extension of time as required u/s 29A of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 or is it the Principal Civil Court of original jurisdiction in the District or the High Court having original civil jurisdiction, alone who will be empowered to exercise the power u/s 29A – India Power Corporation (Bodhgaya) Ltd. Vs. South Bihar Power Distribution Company Ltd. – Patna High Court
Hon’ble High Court of Patna found that the jurisdiction to extend the period of time, has to be exercised by this Court under Section 29A of Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996. There shall hence be an extension of the mandate of the Arbitral Tribunal by four months starting from the date of appearance of the parties before the Arbitral Tribunal, as per the extension granted by this Court.
