IN THE HIGH COURT OF HIMACHAL PRADESH, SHIMLA Arb. Case No. 166 of 2026 Date of decision: 25.08.2026. V.K. Gupta & Associates, Engineers & Contractors ...Petitioner. Versus Chief Engineer (KZ) HP PWD & others ...Respondents. Coram: The Hon’ble Mr. Justice Romesh Verma, Judge. Whether approved for reporting?1 For the petitioner : Mr. Nimish Gupta, Advocate. For the respondents : Mr. Baldev Singh Negi, Addl. A.G. Romesh Verma, Judge (Oral): The instant petition has been filed, seeking extension of period of mandate of the learned Arbitrator which has expired on 17.08.2026. 2. It has been contended in the petition that the petitioner had entered into a contract with the respondent department (HPPWD) for execution of 175.00 meters span PSC Box Grinder type double lane Bridge over Chounch Khad at KM.90/240 on Bharwain Chintpurani-Khatiar-Rey- Damtal Road in Tehsil Indora, District Kangra, H.P. 3. The petitioner approached this Court by filing Arb. Case No. 593 of 2024, seeking appointment of independent arbitrator to 1 Whether reporters of Local Papers may be allowed to see the judgment? -2- resolve the dispute between the parties arising out of agreement dated 28.09.2017, under Section 11 of the Arbitration and conciliation Act, 1996 and vide order dated 09.08.2024, Hon’ble Mr. Justice B.S. Walia (Retd.) was appointed as sole Arbitrator.

4. The learned sole Arbitrator entered upon the reference after due disclosure and consent. The pleadings were completed on 18.02.2025. As per Section 29A(1) of the Act, the arbitral award was required to be made within twelve months from the date of completion of pleadings. Thereafter, the parties by mutual consent further extended the period by six months which expired on 17.8.2026. Therefore, the present petition has been filed for extension of mandate of the learned Arbitrator. 5. In view of the averments as made in the petition, which are duly supported by an affidavit, the mandate of the learned Arbitrator to conclude the proceedings is extended by eight months from today. 6. Accordingly, the instant petition is disposed of along with pending applications, if any. (Romesh Verma) Judge 25th August, 2026. (kck)

IN THE HIGH COURT OF HIMACHAL PRADESH, SHIMLA Arb. Case No. 166 of 2026 Date of decision: 25.08.2026. V.K. Gupta & Associates, Engineers & Contractors ...Petitioner. Versus Chief Engineer (KZ) HP PWD & others ...Respondents. Coram: The Hon’ble Mr. Justice Romesh Verma, Judge. Whether approved for reporting?1 For the petitioner : Mr. Nimish Gupta, Advocate. For the respondents : Mr. Baldev Singh Negi, Addl. A.G. Romesh Verma, Judge (Oral): The instant petition has been filed, seeking extension of period of mandate of the learned Arbitrator which has expired on 17.08.2026. 2. It has been contended in the petition that the petitioner had entered into a contract with the respondent department (HPPWD) for execution of 175.00 meters span PSC Box Grinder type double lane Bridge over Chounch Khad at KM.90/240 on Bharwain Chintpurani-Khatiar-Rey- Damtal Road in Tehsil Indora, District Kangra, H.P. 3. The petitioner approached this Court by filing Arb. Case No. 593 of 2024, seeking appointment of independent arbitrator to 1 Whether reporters of Local Papers may be allowed to see the judgment? -2- resolve the dispute between the parties arising out of agreement dated 28.09.2017, under Section 11 of the Arbitration and conciliation Act, 1996 and vide order dated 09.08.2024, Hon’ble Mr. Justice B.S. Walia (Retd.) was appointed as sole Arbitrator.

4. The learned sole Arbitrator entered upon the reference after due disclosure and consent. The pleadings were completed on 18.02.2025. As per Section 29A(1) of the Act, the arbitral award was required to be made within twelve months from the date of completion of pleadings. Thereafter, the parties by mutual consent further extended the period by six months which expired on 17.8.2026. Therefore, the present petition has been filed for extension of mandate of the learned Arbitrator. 5. In view of the averments as made in the petition, which are duly supported by an affidavit, the mandate of the learned Arbitrator to conclude the proceedings is extended by eight months from today. 6. Accordingly, the instant petition is disposed of along with pending applications, if any. (Romesh Verma) Judge 25th August, 2026. (kck)