High Court Cannot Invalidate Earlier Arbitral Proceedings While Substituting Arbitrator: Supreme Court

The Supreme Court has held that a High Court cannot declare earlier arbitral proceedings null while exercising powers under Section 15(2) of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996.

Setting aside a Bombay High Court order, the Court clarified that substitution of an arbitrator ensures continuity of proceedings and does not invalidate prior orders.

Emphasising minimal judicial intervention, the Bench ruled that earlier tribunal orders are protected under Section 15(4) and cannot be annulled without invoking the statutory appellate mechanism under Section 37.

[Ankhim Holding Pvt Ltd. & Anr. v. Zaveri Constructions Pvt Ltd.]