Synopsis

A dispute arose between the parties concerning media rights and airtime sale agreements for a cricket tournament (Legends League Cricket Masters T20). The petitioner filed a petition under Section 9 of the Arbitration Act seeking interim reliefs, including deposit of approximately Rs.3.59 crores, restraint on alienation of amounts received from commercial exploitation, and restraint on broadcasting or streaming the tournament. The parties mutually agreed to refer the disputes to arbitration. The Delhi High Court, with the consent of parties, dispensed with the requirement of a separate Section 21 notice and Section 11 proceedings, and directly appointed a sole arbitrator. The respondents gave an undertaking that amounts collected towards franchise fee and ticket collections would not be alienated or encumbered. The court further directed that the Section 9 petition shall be treated as an application under Section 17 before the arbitrator.

Court: High Court of Delhi

Coram: Hon’ble Mr. Justice Harish Vaidyanathan Shankar (Single Judge)

Date of Decision: 8th May, 2026

Citation: O.M.P.(I) (COMM.) 88/2026 (unreported)

Core Law: Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 – Sections 9 (interim measures by court), 17 (interim measures by arbitral tribunal), 11 (appointment of arbitrator), 21 (commencement of arbitral proceedings)

1. Heading of the judgment

High court of delhi

O.m.p.(i) (comm.) 88/2026, i.a. 6052/2026 & i.a. 6053/2026

Jiostar india pvt. ltd. (petitioner) vs. Ms absolute legends sports private limited & anr. (respondents)

Coram: hon’ble mr. justice harish vaidyanathan shankar

Date of decision: 8th may, 2026

2. Legal framework

Major laws and provisions involved:

Arbitration and conciliation act, 1996 – section 9 (power of court to grant interim measures before, during or after arbitral proceedings), section 11 (appointment of arbitrators), section 17 (interim measures by arbitral tribunal), section 21 (commencement of arbitral proceedings by notice)

Subject matter of the judgment:

Whether the High Court, in a petition under Section 9 of the Arbitration Act, can, with the consent of the parties, dispense with the requirement of a separate notice under Section 21 and separate proceedings under Section 11, and directly appoint a sole arbitrator while also granting interim protection and convert

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