ARB.P./800/2026 of SRG HOUSING FINANCE LIMITED Vs QUALTECH CONSULTANTS PRIVATE LIMITED on 8 October 2026

O R D E R

% 08.10.2026 I.A. 12330/2026 (for exemption) Exemption allowed, subject to all just exceptions. The application stands disposed of.

1. By way of this petition under Section 11(6) of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996, the petitioner seeks appointment of a sole arbitrator to adjudicate disputes between the parties under the Product License Agreement dated 17.10.2024 [hereinafter, “the Agreement”].

2. I have heard Ms. Aakashi Lodha, learned counsel for the petitioner, and Mr. Rahul Jain, learned counsel for the respondent.

3. The Agreement contains an arbitration clause [Clause 24], which provides for resolution of disputes by a sole arbitrator.

4. In terms of Clause 24 (c) of the Agreement, New Delhi has been designated as the place of arbitration, and in terms of Clause 29 (b) of the Agreement, Courts in New Delhi have been vested with jurisdiction.

5. The disputes between the parties arose on account of alleged breaches of the Agreement by the respondent. The arbitration clause was invoked by the petitioner vide a legal notice dated 16.01.2026.

6. The only objection taken by Mr. Jain concerns a pre-arbitration conciliation provision in the Agreement. While Ms. Lodha disputes the legal position in this regard, a consensus has been reached in the course of hearing, to the effect that the parties may be referred to mediation, and in the event that settlement fails, an arbitrator may be appointed, who will adjudicate the disputes between them.

7. Having regard to the above submissions, and with the consent of learned counsel for the parties, the petition, alongwith the application, is disposed of, with the following directions:

a. The parties are referred to mediation under the aegis of Samadhan, Delhi High Court Mediation and Conciliation Centre, Shershah Road, New Delhi – 110503. They will appear before the learned Mediator on 15.10.2026.

b. In the event the mediation proceedings are unsuccessful, Ms. Saumya Tandon, Advocate [Tel: 9810907029] is appointed as the arbitrator to adjudicate disputes between the parties under the Agreement dated 17.10.2024.

c. The arbitration will be conducted under the Rules of the Delhi International Arbitration Centre [“DIAC”], including the remuneration of the learned Arbitrator.

d. The DIAC is requested to keep the arbitration proceedings in abeyance for a period of five weeks from today, to enable the parties to make an effort at mediation.

e. If the disputes are not settled in mediation, either party may approach the DIAC after the expiry of five weeks, and the learned arbitrator may enter into reference at that stage.

f. In the event the mediation proceedings are still ongoing, the parties may jointly approach the DIAC to defer the arbitration proceedings for a further agreed period.

8. Needless to say, all rights and contentions of the parties, including as to arbitrability and maintainability of the claims, and on merits, are left open for adjudication by the learned Arbitrator. PRATEEK JALAN, J OCTOBER 8, 2026 ‘B’/MK/