Quick Summary: IL&FS Engineering and Construction Company Limited (IL&FS Engineering) took B K Steel to court over a failed deal to supply steel for the Surat Metro Project. The court chose a neutral person to help settle the argument.
IL&FS Engineering ordered 653 metric tons of TMT Bars from B K Steel for the Surat Metro Project, paying over 4.6 crore rupees in advance. However, B K Steel only delivered half of the order and didn't return the extra money. Attempts to fix the issue by talking it out didn't work.
"Even though we paid in full, B K Steel didn't supply the entire agreed amount."
IL&FS Engineering sent a formal notice on January 28, 2025, asking for arbitration as mentioned in their purchase agreement. B K Steel didn't reply, so IL&FS Engineering asked the court for help.
The agreement said problems should be solved by talking first. If that didn't work, arbitration could be used. IL&FS Engineering followed this, and because B K Steel didn't respond, the court got involved.
The court, led by Chief Justice Sri Aparesh Kumar Singh, decided to appoint a neutral person to help settle the argument. They suggested Smt. Justice T. Meena Kumari, a former Chief Justice of Meghalaya High Court, for the job.
"This Court suggests appointing Smt. Justice T. Meena Kumari as a neutral Arbitrator."
Justice T. Meena Kumari agreed to take on the role and submitted the necessary paperwork as required by the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996.
With the arbitrator's agreement, the court confirmed her appointment to handle the dispute. The court staff was told to give all the documents to the arbitrator to ensure a smooth process.
"I hereby appoint Smt. Justice T. Meena Kumari to act as an independent Arbitrator."
This arbitration case shows how legal methods can help solve business arguments when parties can't agree.
