Supreme Court Dismisses Chinese Firm’s ₹995 Cr Arbitration Claim Against GMR

The Supreme Court has dismissed an appeal by the Chinese company SEPCO Electric Power Construction Corporation, upholding the Orissa High Court’s decision to set aside a ₹995 crore arbitral award granted in its favour against GMR Kamalanga Energy Ltd.

A Bench of CJI BR Gavai and Justice AG Masih held that the tribunal overstepped its mandate by reinterpreting contractual terms and treating a 2012 email as a waiver of notice, contrary to the agreement’s “No Oral Modification” clause.

The Court ruled that the tribunal overstepped its mandate, violating Section 28(3) of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996, and affirmed that arbitral awards must strictly follow contractual stipulations.

[Sepco Electric Power Construction v GMR Kamalanga Energy]