Case Synopsis

Case Name & Citation: Bhadra International (India) Pvt. Ltd. & Ors. vs. Airports Authority of India, 2026 INSC 6.

Synopsis: The Supreme Court nullified an arbitral award because the sole arbitrator was unilaterally appointed by the AAI Chairman, a person ineligible to do so under Section 12(5) of the Arbitration Act. The Court established a strict standard, ruling that such ineligibility can only be waived by a post-dispute, express written agreement between the parties. Conduct like participation or joint time extensions is irrelevant. Consequently, the award was held void ab initio for being passed by a tribunal lacking inherent jurisdiction.

1. Heading of the Judgment

Case Name: Bhadra International (India) Pvt. Ltd. & Ors. versus Airports Authority of India
Citation: 2026 INSC 6
Court: Supreme Court of India
Jurisdiction: Civil Appellate Jurisdiction
Civil Appeal Nos.: 37-38 of 2026 (Arising out of SLP(C) Nos. 16107-16108 of 2025)
Judges: Justice J.B. Pardiwala and Justice K.V. Viswanathan
Date of Judgment: January 5, 2026

2. Related Laws and Sections

The judgment interprets and applies the following key statutory provisions:

• Section 12(5) of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 – Ineligibility of an arbitrator based on relationships specified in the Seventh Schedule.

• Proviso to Section 12(5) – Requirement of an "express agreement in writing" to waiv

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