Delhi High Court Rejects RIL’s Objection in Tapti–Panna Mukta Arbitration Case

The Delhi High Court has dismissed Reliance Industries Ltd.’s objection to the maintainability of the Union government’s appeal in the Tapti–Panna Mukta dispute.

The Court held that an appeal under Section 50(1)(b) of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act is maintainable against an order refusing enforcement of a foreign arbitral award under Section 48.

It ruled that the single judge’s 2023 order, though termed “premature,” effectively refused enforcement on public policy grounds.

Consequently, the Centre’s appeal against non-enforcement of the 2016 partial arbitral award will now be heard on merits.

[UOI v. Reliance Industries Ltd.]