Delhi High Court - Orders
Ms Grand Mumtaz Hotel And Resort Through ... vs Deputy Commissioner North East ... on 11 January, 2023
Author: Prathiba M. Singh
Bench: Prathiba M. Singh
$~2,7,17 to 19, 20,21,37,38,39,50,51,53,54 & 55
* IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI
+ W.P.(C) 16588/2022 & CM APPLs.52144-45/2022
MS GRAND MUMTAZ HOTEL AND RESORT THROUGH ITS
MANAGING PARTNER MR WASIM MUSHTAQ ..... Petitioner
Through: Mr. Shekhar Dasi, Advocate (M:
9871655327).
versus
DEPUTY COMMISSIONER NORTH EAST GOVERNMENT OF
NCT OF DELHI & ORS. ..... Respondents
Through: Ms. Mehak Nakra, ASC with Mr.
Karan Kapur, Advocate for R-1 (M:
9871144582).
Dr. Farrukh Khan, Mr. Anup Kr.
Nagar, Mr. Aman Rai and Ms.
Shagun Sarohi, Advocates for R-2 (M
9205029846).
7 WITH
+ W.P.(C) 13758/2021 & CM APPL.43444/2021
STERLITE POWER TRANSMISSION LIMITED ..... Petitioner
Through: Mr. Deepak Khurana and Mr.
Abhishek Bansal, Advocates (m:
9811231287).
versus
M/S EPC SOLUTIONS LLP & ANR. ..... Respondents
Through: Mr. Dinesh Kr. Goswami, Sr.
Advocate with Mr. Rohit, Mr.
Prakash Kumar Sinha and Mr. Sushil
Kumar, Advocates for R-1.
Mr. Anuj Aggarwal, ASC with Ms.
Ayushi Bansal, Mr. Sanyam Suri and
17 WITH
+ W.P.(C) 16891/2022 & CM APPL.53523/2022
MUNICIPAL CORPOATION OF DELHI ..... Petitioner
Through: Mr. Kunal Vajani, Mr. Kunal Mimani
and Mr. Kartikey Bhatt, Advocates
(M: 7042492840)
versus
Signature Not Verified
Digitally Signed
By:DEVANSHU JOSHI W.P.(C) 16588/2022 & connected matters Page 1 of 8
Signing Date:13.01.2023
19:52:41
RAM PRAKASH ..... Respondent
Through: None.
18 WITH
+ W.P.(C) 16894/2022 & CM APPL.53541/2022
MUNICIPAL CORPORATION OF DELHI ..... Petitioner
Through: Mr. Kunal Vajani, Mr. Kunal Mimani
and Mr. Kartikey Bhatt, Advocates
(M: 7042492840)
versus
TRIWENI ENTERPRISES ..... Respondent
Through: None.
19 AND
+ W.P.(C) 16895/2022 & CM APPL.53543/2022
MUNICIPAL CORPORATION OF DELHI ..... Petitioner
Through: Mr. Kunal Vajani, Mr. Kunal Mimani
and Mr. Kartikey Bhatt, Advocates
(M: 7042492840)
versus
M/S TRIWENI ENTERPRICES ..... Respondent
Through: Ms. Arshya Singh, Advocate for R-2.
20 WITH
+ W.P.(C) 16942/2022 & CM APPL.53675/2022
NBCC (INDIA) LTD. ..... Petitioner
Through: Mr. Kartik Nagarkatti and Ms.
Prakriti Joshi, Advocates (M:
9873368749).
versus
MICRO AND SMALL ENTERPRISES
FACILITATION COUNCIL (SOUTH-EAST),
GOVERNMENT OF NCT OF DELHI & ANR. ..... Respondents
Through: Mr. Avishkar Singhvi, Mr. Naved
Ahmed and Mr. Vivek Kumar,
Advocates (M: 9654847982).
Ms. Krishna Parkhani, Advocate for
R-2 (M: 7709872128).
21 WITH
+ W.P.(C) 17725/2022 & CM APPL.56669/2022
Signature Not Verified
Digitally Signed
By:DEVANSHU JOSHI W.P.(C) 16588/2022 & connected matters Page 2 of 8
Signing Date:13.01.2023
19:52:41
RAJA BAHADUR INTERNATIONAL LTD. ..... Petitioner
Through: Mr. Shubhas Takia, Advocate.
versus
MICRO SMALL ENTERPRISES FACILITATION
COUNCIL AND ORS ..... Respondents
Through: Mr. Ashish Verma, Advocate for R-3
(M: 9717944394).
37 WITH
+ W.P.(C) 16567/2022 & CM APPLs.52091-92/2022
JKS INFRASTRUCTURE PRIVATE LIMITED ..... Petitioner
Through: Mr. Dheeraj Sharma and Mr. Bhanu
Gupta, Advocates (M: 9560434606).
versus
MSME FACILITATION COUNCIL AND ORS ..... Respondents
Through: None.
38 WITH
+ W.P.(C) 16702/2022
M/S ASN ENGINEERS AND ERECTORS ..... Petitioner
Through: None.
versus
UNION OF INDIA & ORS. ..... Respondents
Through: Mr. Ravi Prakash CGSC with Mr.
Amit Acharya, GP, Mr. Farman Ali
and Mr. Usha, Advocates for UOI
(M: 8744956276).
39 WITH
+ W.P.(C) 16720/2022
JENENDRA MEDICOS PRIVATE LIMITED ..... Petitioner
Through: Mr. Pramod Bhardwaj, Advocate.
versus
UNION OF INDIA & ORS. ..... Respondents
Through: Mr. Ajay Digpaul, CGSC with Ms.
Swati and Mr. Kamal Digpaul,
Advocates for UOI (M: 9811157265).
Mr. Avishkar Singhvi, Mr. Naved
Ahmed and Mr. Vivek Kumar,
Advocates (M: 9654847982).
50 WITH
Signature Not Verified
Digitally Signed
By:DEVANSHU JOSHI W.P.(C) 16588/2022 & connected matters Page 3 of 8
Signing Date:13.01.2023
19:52:41
+ W.P.(C) 276/2023 & CM APPL.1107/2023
MUNICIPAL CORPORATION OF DELHI ..... Petitioner
Through: Mr. Kunal Vajani, Mr. Kunal Mimani
and Mr. Kartikey Bhatt, Advocates
(M: 7042492840)
versus
M/S NATRAJ CONSTRUCTION CO. ..... Respondent
Through: None.
51 WITH
+ W.P.(C) 277/2023 & CM APPL.1108/2023
MUNICIPAL CORPORATION OF DELHI ..... Petitioner
Through: Mr. Kunal Vajani, Mr. Kunal Mimani
and Mr. Kartikey Bhatt, Advocates
(M: 7042492840)
versus
M/S RAM PRAKASH ..... Respondent
Through: None.
53 WITH
+ W.P.(C) 294/2023 & CM APPLs.1166-67/2023
MUNICIPAL CORPORATION OF DELHI ..... Petitioner
Through: Mr. Kunal Vajani, Mr. Kunal Mimani
and Mr. Kartikey Bhatt, Advocates
(M: 7042492840)
versus
M/S RAM PRAKASH ..... Respondent
Through: None.
54 WITH
+ W.P.(C) 300/2023 & CM APPLs.1184-85/2023
SATYA NARAYAN SHARMA ..... Petitioner
Through: None.
versus
VARISCON ENGINEERING SERVICES PVT. LTD...... Respondent
Through: Mr. Kailash Chandra, Advocate (M:
9810675135).
55 WITH
+ W.P.(C) 302/2023 & CM APPLs.1188-89/2023
MUNICIPAL CORPORATION OF DELHI ..... Petitioner
Through: Mr. Kunal Vajani, Mr. Kunal Mimani
Signature Not Verified
Digitally Signed
By:DEVANSHU JOSHI W.P.(C) 16588/2022 & connected matters Page 4 of 8
Signing Date:13.01.2023
19:52:41
and Mr. Kartikey Bhatt, Advocates
(M: 7042492840)
versus
SH. CHHATER PAL ..... Respondent
Through: None.
CORAM:
JUSTICE PRATHIBA M. SINGH
ORDER
% 11.01.2023
1. This hearing has been done through hybrid mode.
2. All these petitions raise important issues arising out of the Micro Small and Medium Enterprises Development Act, 2006 (hereinafter 'MSME Act').
3. The ld. Counsel for the Micro & Small Enterprises Facilitation Council shall obtain data relating to the number of references received by the Council since its establishment, the number of matters where conciliation has been successful, and the number of matters wherein disputes have been referred to arbitration. The same shall be filed in the form a chart within one week.
4. All these matters shall be treated as part heard.
5. The Registry to list these matters on top of board, under the category of MSME matters.
W.P.(C) 16588/2022 & CM APPLs.52144-45/2022 W.P.(C) 13758/2021 & CM APPL.43444/2021
6. Submissions heard.
7. List on 16th March, 2023.
W.P.(C) 16942/2022 & CM APPL.53675/2022
8. The first issue raised in this petition relate to the fact that the supplier was not registered under the MSME Act when the contract between the Signature Not Verified Digitally Signed By:DEVANSHU JOSHI W.P.(C) 16588/2022 & connected matters Page 5 of 8 Signing Date:13.01.2023 19:52:41 parties was entered and services were provided. Further, the second issue is that the MSME Act would not apply as the same would apply only in respect of works contracts. The Respondent disputes this position.
9. Respondents are permitted to file counter affidavit/ written submissions on the legal issues raised at least one week before the next date of hearing.
10. Parties shall seek an adjournment before the ld. Arbitrator.
11. List for hearing on 16th March, 2023.
W.P.(C) 17725/2022 & CM APPL.56669/2022
12. List on 16th March, 2023 along with other MSME matters.
13. Interim order to continue till the next date of hearing. W.P.(C) 16567/2022 & CM APPLs.52091-92/2022
14. The issues raised in this petition are being considered in a batch of matters. Accordingly, list this matter along with other MSME matters.
15. It is clarified that no arbitral tribunal shall be constituted till the next date of hearing.
16. List on 16th March, 2023 W.P.(C) 16702/2022
17. Written submissions/counter affidavit on the legal issues raised may be filed by both the parties be filed, at least one week before the next date of hearing.
18. List on 16th March, 2023 along with all other MSME matters.
19. Interim order to continue till the next date of hearing. W.P.(C) 16720/2022
20. According to ld. Counsel appearing for the MSEFC, as per the order dated 3rd November, 2022 passed by this Court in W.P.(C) 13653/2022 Signature Not Verified Digitally Signed By:DEVANSHU JOSHI W.P.(C) 16588/2022 & connected matters Page 6 of 8 Signing Date:13.01.2023 19:52:41 titled M/s STUP Consultants Pvt. Ltd. v. MSEFC & Ors. the question as to whether a final settlement has been arrived at or not would be an issue which the arbitral tribunal would have to decide.
21. It is noticed that the Process Fee is not filed and the Respondents have not been served.
22. Issue fresh notice. Registry to also give intimation to all the Respondents on the email addresses mentioned in the memo of parties.
23. The interim order passed on 6th December, 2022 shall continue. Parties to file their counter affidavits/ written submissions on the legal issues raised by the next date of hearing.
24. List before the Registrar on 6th February, 2023.
25. List on 16th March, 2023.
W.P.(C) 300/2023 & CM APPLs.1184-85/2023
26. The issue raised in this petition is that works contracts are not amenable to the jurisdiction of the MSEFC.
27. Ld. counsel for the Petitioner relies upon the recent judgment of the Andhra Pradesh High Court dated 26th April, 2022 passed in WP Nos. 27670/ 2022 titled Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Ltd. v. Union of India. These very issues are also being considered by this Court in various other MSME matters.
28. Issue notice.
29. Mr. Kailash Chandra, ld. Counsel appearing for the Respondent submits that the Petitioner has not taken any objection before the MSEFC as to the maintainability of the claims and accordingly cannot claim such an objection today.
30. It is made clear that the arbitration proceedings shall continue and Signature Not Verified Digitally Signed By:DEVANSHU JOSHI W.P.(C) 16588/2022 & connected matters Page 7 of 8 Signing Date:13.01.2023 19:52:41 shall be subject to the outcome of this writ petition.
31. List on 16th March, 2023.
W.P.(C) 16891/2022 & CM APPL.53523/2022 W.P.(C) 16894/2022 & CM APPL.53541/2022 W.P.(C) 16895/2022 & CM APPL.53543/2022 W.P.(C) 276/2023 & CM APPL.1107/2023 W.P.(C) 277/2023 & CM APPL.1108/2023 W.P.(C) 294/2023 & CM APPLs.1166-67/2023 W.P.(C) 302/2023 & CM APPLs.1188-89/2023
32. None appears for the suppliers.
33. These petitions are connected with similar matters raising objections against the reference made by MSEFC.
34. Let notice be served of these petitions upon the suppliers by ld. Counsel for the Petitioner. If the said suppliers wish to file their reply, they are free to do so within two weeks.
35. In the meantime, in W.P.(C) 276/2023, W.P.(C) 277/2023, W.P.(C) 294/2023 and W.P.(C) 302/2023 arbitral tribunal shall not be constituted by the DIAC.
36. List on 16th March, 2023 along with other MSME matters.
37. Dasti.
PRATHIBA M. SINGH, J.
JANUARY 11, 2023 MR/kt Signature Not Verified Digitally Signed By:DEVANSHU JOSHI W.P.(C) 16588/2022 & connected matters Page 8 of 8 Signing Date:13.01.2023 19:52:41