WA/708/2026 of OIL AND NATURAL GAS CORPORATION LIMITED Vs JSC GOLLA ENGINEERING PRIVATE LIMITED on 7 July 2026

APHC010295042026

IN THE HIGH COURT OF ANDHRA PRADESH AT AMARAVATI

WRIT APPEAL NO: 708 of 2026 Bench Sr.No:-73

Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited and another ...Appellant(s) Vs. JSC Golla Engineering Private Limited and another ...Respondent(s) ********** Advocate for Appellants: Mr. D. Srinivas, ld. Advocate General representing Mr. D. S. Sivadarshan Advocate for Respondents: Mr. V. R. N. Prashanth representing M/s. Indus Law Firm

CORAM : THE CHIEF JUSTICE LISA GILL SRI JUSTICE CHALLA GUNARANJAN DATE : 8th July, 2026. LISA GILL, CJ (Oral):

Prayer in this appeal, filed by O.N.G.C. and another, is for setting aside order, dated 08.05.2026, passed by learned Single Bench whereby W.P. No.22088 of 2024 filed by respondents/ writ petitioners was allowed.

2. Aforesaid writ petition was filed for setting aside letter of termination dated 03.08.2024 on the ground of it being illegal, arbitrary and unjust.

3. Learned Single Bench while noting the limitation of entertaining these disputes in exercise of writ jurisdiction, proceeded to undertake the exercise and culled out four issues, out of which three of them were decided against

HCJ & CGRJ WA_708_2026

present appellant and in respect to one of the issues, relegated the parties to avail the mechanism provided in General Conditions of Contract annexed to the contract agreement dated 07.11.2022. Order of termination dated 03.08.2024 was set aside. Aggrieved therefrom, this writ appeal has been filed.

4. During the pendency of this appeal, it is agreed between the parties that impugned order dated 08.05.2026 may be set aside and the parties be permitted to avail the remedy of arbitration qua all issues. It is further agreed that Justice J. R. Midha, former Judge, Delhi High Court, be appointed as sole arbitrator to decide the entire dispute between the parties. It is further agreed that appellant shall not take any coercive steps, including steps for blacklisting the respondents/ writ petitioners for a period of three weeks from today, enabling the writ petitioner to avail its remedy under Section 17 of Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 (for short, 1996 Act).

5. Keeping in view the consensus arrived at between the parties, impugned decision dated 08.05.2026 is set aside and Justice J. R. Midha, former Judge, Delhi High Court, as agreed upon by parties, is appointed as sole arbitrator subject to compliance of statutory requirements.

6. Learned Arbitrator is requested to comply with mandate of Section 12 of 1996 Act before proceeding further. Learned Arbitrator shall be paid fee in accordance with Fourth Schedule of 1996 Act, as amended. Learned

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Arbitrator is requested to complete the proceedings as per time limit specified under Section 29-A of 1996 Act.

7. Needless to mention, parties would be at liberty to raise all the claims/defences/counter claims/pleas before the Arbitrator. Any observation made hereinabove will not be binding on the learned Arbitrator.

8. Writ Appeal is disposed of accordingly. No costs. Pending miscellaneous application(s), if any, also stand(s) disposed of. A copy of this order be communicated to learned Arbitrator on the address mentioned herein below: Justice J. R. Midha, C-587, New Friends Colony, New Delhi – 110 025 Email Id: justicejrmidha@gmail.com Ph: 97174 95003

LISA GILL, CJ.

CHALLA GUNARANJAN, J. SSN Whether the order is Speaking/Reasoned

: Yes / No Whether the order is Reportable

: Yes / No