Delhi High Court - Orders
Brandavan Food Products vs Indian Railway Catering And Tourism ... on 23 April, 2025
Author: Jyoti Singh
Bench: Jyoti Singh
$~10 to 16 and 20 to 26
* IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI
+ ARB.P. 631/2025
BRANDAVAN FOOD PRODUCTS .....Petitioner
Through: Mr. Sudhir Nandrajog and Mr.
Sandeep Sethi, Senior Advocates with Mr.Rajat
Aneja, Mr.Jasmeet Singh, Ms. Ritwika Nanda, Mr.
Saif Ali, Mr. Pushpendra S. Bhadoria, Mr. Vijay
Sharma, Mr. Sharad Yadav, Mr. Pranav Menon,
Mr. Saurav, Ms. Gunjan Yadav and Mr. Aditya
Sharma, Advocates.
versus
INDIAN RAILWAY CATERING AND TOURISM
CORPORATION LIMITED (IRCTC) & ORS. .....Respondents
Through: Mr. Tushar Mehta, SGI with Mr.
Saurav Agrawal, Mr. Anshuman Chowdhury, Ms.
Prachi Dubey, Mr.Aarya Bhat and Mr. Shivam
Chaudhary, Advocates for IRCTC.
Mr. Abdhesh Chaudhary, CGSC with Ms.
Geetanjali Setia, Advocates for UOI.
11
+ ARB.P. 632/2025
BRANDAVAN FOOD PRODUCTS .....Petitioner
Through: Mr. Sudhir Nandrajog and Mr.
Sandeep Sethi, Senior Advocates with Mr.Rajat
Aneja, Mr.Jasmeet Singh, Ms. Ritwika Nanda, Mr.
Saif Ali, Mr. Pushpendra S. Bhadoria, Mr. Vijay
Sharma, Mr. Sharad Yadav, Mr. Pranav Menon,
Mr. Saurav, Ms. Gunjan Yadav and Mr. Aditya
Sharma, Advocates.
versus
INDIAN RAILWAY CATERING AND TOURISM
CORPORATION LIMITED (IRCTC) & ORS. .....Respondents
Through: Mr. Tushar Mehta, SGI with Mr.
Saurav Agrawal, Mr. Anshuman Chowdhury, Ms.
ARB.P. 631/2025 & connected matters Page 1 of 11
This is a digitally signed order.
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Prachi Dubey, Mr.Aarya Bhat and Mr. Shivam
Chaudhary, Advocates for IRCTC.
Mr. Abdhesh Chaudhary, CGSC with Ms.
Geetanjali Setia, Advocates for UOI.
12
+ ARB.P. 633/2025
BRANDAVAN FOOD PRODUCTS .....Petitioner
Through: Mr. Sudhir Nandrajog and Mr.
Sandeep Sethi, Senior Advocates with Mr.Rajat
Aneja, Mr.Jasmeet Singh, Ms. Ritwika Nanda, Mr.
Saif Ali, Mr. Pushpendra S. Bhadoria, Mr. Vijay
Sharma, Mr. Sharad Yadav, Mr. Pranav Menon,
Mr. Saurav, Ms. Gunjan Yadav and Mr. Aditya
Sharma, Advocates.
versus
INDIAN RAILWAY CATERING AND TOURISM
CORPORATION LIMITED (IRCTC) & ORS. .....Respondents
Through: Mr. Tushar Mehta, SGI with Mr.
Saurav Agrawal, Mr. Anshuman Chowdhury, Ms.
Prachi Dubey, Mr.Aarya Bhat and Mr. Shivam
Chaudhary, Advocates for IRCTC.
Mr. Abdhesh Chaudhary, CGSC with Ms.
Geetanjali Setia, Advocates for UOI.
13
+ ARB.P. 634/2025
R.K. ASSOCIATES AND HOTELIERS PVT. LTD......Petitioner
Through: Mr. Sudhir Nandrajog and Mr.
Sandeep Sethi, Senior Advocates with Mr.Rajat
Aneja, Mr.Jasmeet Singh, Ms. Ritwika Nanda, Mr.
Saif Ali, Mr. Pushpendra S. Bhadoria, Mr. Vijay
Sharma, Mr. Sharad Yadav, Mr. Pranav Menon,
Mr. Saurav, Ms. Gunjan Yadav and Mr. Aditya
Sharma, Advocates.
ARB.P. 631/2025 & connected matters Page 2 of 11
This is a digitally signed order.
The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above.
The Order is downloaded from the DHC Server on 24/04/2025 at 22:13:47
versus
INDIAN RAILWAY CATERING AND TOURISM
CORPORATION LIMITED (IRCTC) & ORS. .....Respondents
Through: Mr. Tushar Mehta, SGI with Mr.
Saurav Agrawal, Mr. Anshuman Chowdhury, Ms.
Prachi Dubey, Mr.Aarya Bhat and Mr. Shivam
Chaudhary, Advocates for IRCTC.
Mr. Bhagwan Swarup Shukla, CGSC with Mr.
Sarvan Kumar, Advocates for UOI.
14
+ ARB.P. 635/2025
R.K. ASSOCIATES AND HOTELIERS PVT. LTD......Petitioner
Through: Mr. Sudhir Nandrajog and Mr.
Sandeep Sethi, Senior Advocates with Mr.Rajat
Aneja, Mr.Jasmeet Singh, Ms. Ritwika Nanda, Mr.
Saif Ali, Mr. Pushpendra S. Bhadoria, Mr. Vijay
Sharma, Mr. Sharad Yadav, Mr. Pranav Menon,
Mr. Saurav, Ms. Gunjan Yadav and Mr. Aditya
Sharma, Advocates.
versus
INDIAN RAILWAY CATERING AND TOURISM
CORPORATION LIMITED (IRCTC) & ORS. .....Respondents
Through: Mr. Tushar Mehta, SGI with Mr.
Saurav Agrawal, Mr. Anshuman Chowdhury, Ms.
Prachi Dubey, Mr.Aarya Bhat and Mr. Shivam
Chaudhary, Advocates for IRCTC.
Mr. Bhagwan Swarup Shukla, CGSC with Mr.
Sarvan Kumar, Advocates for UOI.
15
+ ARB.P. 636/2025
M/S ROOP CATERERS .....Petitioner
Through: Mr. Sudhir Nandrajog and Mr.
Sandeep Sethi, Senior Advocates with Mr.Rajat
ARB.P. 631/2025 & connected matters Page 3 of 11
This is a digitally signed order.
The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above.
The Order is downloaded from the DHC Server on 24/04/2025 at 22:13:48
Aneja, Mr.Jasmeet Singh, Ms. Ritwika Nanda, Mr.
Saif Ali, Mr. Pushpendra S. Bhadoria, Mr. Vijay
Sharma, Mr. Sharad Yadav, Mr. Pranav Menon,
Mr. Saurav, Ms. Gunjan Yadav and Mr. Aditya
Sharma, Advocates.
versus
INDIAN RAILWAY CATERING AND TOURISM
CORPORATION LIMITED (IRCTC) & ORS. .....Respondents
Through: Mr. Tushar Mehta, SGI with Mr.
Saurav Agrawal, Mr. Anshuman Chowdhury, Ms.
Prachi Dubey, Mr.Aarya Bhat and Mr. Shivam
Chaudhary, Advocates for IRCTC.
Mr. Avnish Singh, SPC with Mr. Anant Yadav and
Mr. Kapil Dev Yadav, Advocates for UOI.
Mr. Jaswinder Singh, Advocate for R-2.
16
+ ARB.P. 637/2025
M/S SATYAM CATERERS PVT. LTD. .....Petitioner
Through: Mr. Sudhir Nandrajog and Mr.
Sandeep Sethi, Senior Advocates with Mr.Rajat
Aneja, Mr.Jasmeet Singh, Ms. Ritwika Nanda, Mr.
Saif Ali, Mr. Pushpendra S. Bhadoria, Mr. Vijay
Sharma, Mr. Sharad Yadav, Mr. Pranav Menon,
Mr. Saurav, Ms. Gunjan Yadav and Mr. Aditya
Sharma, Advocates.
versus
INDIAN RAILWAY CATERING AND TOURISM
CORPORATION LIMITED (IRCTC) & ORS. .....Respondents
Through: Mr. Tushar Mehta, SGI with Mr.
Saurav Agrawal, Mr. Anshuman Chowdhury, Ms.
Prachi Dubey, Mr.Aarya Bhat and Mr. Shivam
Chaudhary, Advocates for IRCTC.
Ms. Anubha Bhardwaj, CGSC with Ms. Prabisha
ARB.P. 631/2025 & connected matters Page 4 of 11
This is a digitally signed order.
The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above.
The Order is downloaded from the DHC Server on 24/04/2025 at 22:13:48
Pradeep and Ms. Mehak Arora, Advocate for UOI.
20
+ O.M.P.(I) (COMM.) 377/2023
BRANDAVAN FOOD PRODUCTS .....Petitioner
Through: Mr. Sudhir Nandrajog and Mr.
Sandeep Sethi, Senior Advocates with Mr.Rajat
Aneja, Mr.Jasmeet Singh, Ms. Ritwika Nanda, Mr.
Saif Ali, Mr. Pushpendra S. Bhadoria, Mr. Vijay
Sharma, Mr. Sharad Yadav, Mr. Pranav Menon,
Mr. Saurav, Ms. Gunjan Yadav and Mr. Aditya
Sharma, Advocates.
versus
INDIAN RAILWAY CATERING AND TOURISM
CORPORATION LIMITED (IRCTC) & ORS. .....Respondents
Through: Mr. Tushar Mehta, SGI with Mr.
Saurav Agrawal, Mr. Anshuman Chowdhury, Ms.
Prachi Dubey, Mr.Aarya Bhat and Mr. Shivam
Chaudhary, Advocates for IRCTC.
Mr. Sandeep Kumar Mahapatra, CGSC with Mr.
Tribhuvan, Mr. Shubham Saini, Ms. Rubanshi
Chawla, Mohd. Aakib, Mr. Ashish Shukla and
Ms. Jivisha, Advocates for R-2.
21
+ O.M.P.(I) (COMM.) 378/2023
BRANDAVAN FOOD PRODUCTS .....Petitioner
Through: Mr. Sudhir Nandrajog and Mr.
Sandeep Sethi, Senior Advocates with Mr.Rajat
Aneja, Mr.Jasmeet Singh, Ms. Ritwika Nanda, Mr.
Saif Ali, Mr. Pushpendra S. Bhadoria, Mr. Vijay
Sharma, Mr. Sharad Yadav, Mr. Pranav Menon,
Mr. Saurav, Ms. Gunjan Yadav and Mr. Aditya
Sharma, Advocates.
versus
ARB.P. 631/2025 & connected matters Page 5 of 11
This is a digitally signed order.
The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above.
The Order is downloaded from the DHC Server on 24/04/2025 at 22:13:48
INDIAN RAILWAY CATERING AND TOURISM
CORPORATION LIMITED (IRCTC) & ORS. .....Respondents
Through: Mr. Tushar Mehta, SGI with Mr.
Saurav Agrawal, Mr. Anshuman Chowdhury, Ms.
Prachi Dubey, Mr.Aarya Bhat and Mr. Shivam
Chaudhary, Advocates for IRCTC.
Mr. Sandeep Kumar Mahapatra, CGSC with Mr.
Tribhuvan, Mr. Shubham Saini, Ms. Rubanshi
Chawla, Mohd. Aakib, Mr. Ashish Shukla and
Ms. Jivisha, Advocates for R-2.
22
+ O.M.P.(I) (COMM.) 379/2023
M/S SATYAM CATERERS PVT. LTD. .....Petitioner
Through: Mr. Sudhir Nandrajog and Mr.
Sandeep Sethi, Senior Advocates with Mr.Rajat
Aneja, Mr.Jasmeet Singh, Ms. Ritwika Nanda, Mr.
Saif Ali, Mr. Pushpendra S. Bhadoria, Mr. Vijay
Sharma, Mr. Sharad Yadav, Mr. Pranav Menon,
Mr. Saurav, Ms. Gunjan Yadav and Mr. Aditya
Sharma, Advocates.
versus
INDIAN RAILWAY CATERING AND TOURISM
CORPORATION LIMITED (IRCTC) & ORS. .....Respondents
Through: Mr. Tushar Mehta, SGI with Mr.
Saurav Agrawal, Mr. Anshuman Chowdhury, Ms.
Prachi Dubey, Mr.Aarya Bhat and Mr. Shivam
Chaudhary, Advocates for IRCTC.
Ms. Avshreya Pratap Singh Rudy, Senior Panel
Counsel with Ms.Usha Jamnal and Ms. Harshita
Chaturvedi, Advocates for UOI.
23
+ O.M.P.(I) (COMM.) 380/2023
M/S ROOP CATERERS .....Petitioner
Through: Mr. Sudhir Nandrajog and Mr.
ARB.P. 631/2025 & connected matters Page 6 of 11
This is a digitally signed order.
The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above.
The Order is downloaded from the DHC Server on 24/04/2025 at 22:13:48
Sandeep Sethi, Senior Advocates with Mr.Rajat
Aneja, Mr.Jasmeet Singh, Ms. Ritwika Nanda, Mr.
Saif Ali, Mr. Pushpendra S. Bhadoria, Mr. Vijay
Sharma, Mr. Sharad Yadav, Mr. Pranav Menon,
Mr. Saurav, Ms. Gunjan Yadav and Mr. Aditya
Sharma, Advocates.
versus
INDIAN RAILWAY CATERING AND TOURISM
CORPORATION LIMITED (IRCTC) & ORS. .....Respondents
Through: Mr. Tushar Mehta, SGI with Mr.
Saurav Agrawal, Mr. Anshuman Chowdhury, Ms.
Prachi Dubey, Mr.Aarya Bhat and Mr. Shivam
Chaudhary, Advocates for IRCTC.
Mr. Vedansh Anand, Government Pleader with
Mr. Pradip Sharma, Advocate for R-2.
24
+ O.M.P.(I) (COMM.) 381/2023
M/S R.K. ASSOCIATES AND HOTELIERS PVT. LTD.
.....Petitioner
Through: Mr. Sudhir Nandrajog and Mr.
Sandeep Sethi, Senior Advocates with Mr.Rajat
Aneja, Mr.Jasmeet Singh, Ms. Ritwika Nanda, Mr.
Saif Ali, Mr. Pushpendra S. Bhadoria, Mr. Vijay
Sharma, Mr. Sharad Yadav, Mr. Pranav Menon,
Mr. Saurav, Ms. Gunjan Yadav and Mr. Aditya
Sharma, Advocates.
versus
INDIAN RAILWAY CATERING AND TOURISM
CORPORATION LIMITED (IRCTC) & ORS. .....Respondents
Through: Mr. Tushar Mehta, SGI with Mr.
Saurav Agrawal, Mr. Anshuman Chowdhury, Ms.
Prachi Dubey, Mr.Aarya Bhat and Mr. Shivam
Chaudhary, Advocates for IRCTC.
ARB.P. 631/2025 & connected matters Page 7 of 11
This is a digitally signed order.
The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above.
The Order is downloaded from the DHC Server on 24/04/2025 at 22:13:48
Mr. Vedansh Anand, Government Pleader with
Mr. Pradip Sharma, Advocate for R-2.
25
+ O.M.P.(I) (COMM.) 382/2023
M/S R.K. ASSOCIATES AND HOTELIERS PVT. LTD.
.....Petitioner
Through: Mr. Sudhir Nandrajog and Mr.
Sandeep Sethi, Senior Advocates with Mr.Rajat
Aneja, Mr.Jasmeet Singh, Ms. Ritwika Nanda, Mr.
Saif Ali, Mr. Pushpendra S. Bhadoria, Mr. Vijay
Sharma, Mr. Sharad Yadav, Mr. Pranav Menon,
Mr. Saurav, Ms. Gunjan Yadav and Mr. Aditya
Sharma, Advocates.
versus
INDIAN RAILWAY CATERING AND TOURISM
CORPORATION LIMITED (IRCTC) & ORS. .....Respondents
Through: Mr. Tushar Mehta, SGI with Mr.
Saurav Agrawal, Mr. Anshuman Chowdhury, Ms.
Prachi Dubey, Mr.Aarya Bhat and Mr. Shivam
Chaudhary, Advocates for IRCTC.
Mr. Vedansh Anand, Advocate for R-2.
26
+ O.M.P.(I) (COMM.) 385/2023
BRANDAVAN FOOD PRODUCTS .....Petitioner
Through: Mr. Sudhir Nandrajog and Mr.
Sandeep Sethi, Senior Advocates with Mr.Rajat
Aneja, Mr.Jasmeet Singh, Ms. Ritwika Nanda, Mr.
Saif Ali, Mr. Pushpendra S. Bhadoria, Mr. Vijay
Sharma, Mr. Sharad Yadav, Mr. Pranav Menon,
Mr. Saurav, Ms. Gunjan Yadav and Mr. Aditya
Sharma, Advocates.
versus
INDIAN RAILWAY CATERING AND TOURISM
ARB.P. 631/2025 & connected matters Page 8 of 11
This is a digitally signed order.
The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above.
The Order is downloaded from the DHC Server on 24/04/2025 at 22:13:48
CORPORATION LIMITED (IRCTC) & ORS. .....Respondents
Through: Mr. Tushar Mehta, SGI with Mr.
Saurav Agrawal, Mr. Anshuman Chowdhury, Ms.
Prachi Dubey, Mr.Aarya Bhat and Mr. Shivam
Chaudhary, Advocates for IRCTC.
CORAM:
HON'BLE MS. JUSTICE JYOTI SINGH
ORDER
% 23.04.2025 I.A. 9625/2025 in ARB.P. 631/2025, I.A. 9626/2025 in ARB.P. 632/2025, I.A. 9628/2025 in ARB.P. 633/2025, I.A. 9629/2025 in ARB.P. 634/2025, I.A. 9630/2025 in ARB.P. 635/2025, I.A. 9631/2025 in ARB.P. 636/2025, I.A. 9632/2025 in ARB.P. 637/2025
1. Allowed, subject to all just exceptions.
2. Applications stand disposed of.
ARB.P. 631/2025, ARB.P. 632/2025, ARB.P. 633/2025, ARB.P. 634/2025, ARB.P. 635/2025 ARB.P. 636/2025 and ARB.P. 637/2025
3. These petitions have been preferred on behalf of the Petitioners under Section 11(6) of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 ('1996 Act') seeking appointment of a Sole Arbitrator.
O.M.P.(I) (COMM.) 377/2023 and I.A. 23137/2023, O.M.P.(I) (COMM.) 378/2023 and I.A. 23139/2023, O.M.P.(I) (COMM.) 379/2023 and I.A. 23141/2023, O.M.P.(I) (COMM.) 380/2023 and I.A. 23143/2023, O.M.P.(I) (COMM.) 381/2023 and I.A. 23145/2023, O.M.P.(I) (COMM.) 382/2023 and I.A. 23147/2023 and O.M.P.(I) (COMM.) 385/2023 and I.A. 23425/2023
4. These petitions have been filed under Section 9 of the 1996 Act for restraining Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation Limited (IRCTC) from enforcing the respective demand notices dated 21.08.2023, 29.03.2023, 22.09.2023, 11.08.2023, 31.03.2023, 11.08.2023 and ARB.P. 631/2025 & connected matters Page 9 of 11 This is a digitally signed order.
The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above. The Order is downloaded from the DHC Server on 24/04/2025 at 22:13:48 21.08.2023.
5. Indisputably, these petitions relate to different contracts. However, during the course of hearing, it is agreed between the parties that Hon'ble Ms. Justice Indira Banerjee, former Judge of the Supreme Court be appointed as a Sole Arbitrator to adjudicate the inter se disputes between the respective parties and the seat of arbitration will be Delhi. It is also agreed that petitions under Section 9 of the 1996 Act be treated as applications under Section 17 to be decided by the learned Sole Arbitrator and interim orders granted by this Court be continued till consideration by the learned Arbitrator.
6. Accordingly, with the consent of the parties, Hon'ble Ms. Justice Indira Banerjee, former Judge of the Supreme Court is appointed as a Sole Arbitrator to adjudicate the disputes between the parties arising in respect of the contracts which are subject matter of these petitions. It is further directed that petitions under Section 9 will be treated as applications under Section 17 and records be transmitted by the Registry to the learned Arbitrator.
7. Before entering upon reference, learned Arbitrator shall give a disclosure under Section 12 of the 1996 Act. As agreed between the parties, it is open to the learned Arbitrator to fix the fees.
8. Learned Arbitrator is requested to take up the applications for interim relief as expeditiously as possible after entering upon reference. Interim orders granted by this Court staying the operation of the demand notices aforementioned, shall continue till the learned Arbitrator takes up the applications under Section 17 for consideration, whereupon it will be open to the learned Arbitrator to continue/vacate/modify the said orders in accordance with law.
ARB.P. 631/2025 & connected matters Page 10 of 11This is a digitally signed order.
The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above. The Order is downloaded from the DHC Server on 24/04/2025 at 22:13:48
9. It is made clear that this Court has not expressed any opinion on the merits of the case. All rights and contentions of the respective parties to the lis are left open.
10. Petitions along with pending applications stand disposed of.
JYOTI SINGH, J APRIL 23, 2025/shivam ARB.P. 631/2025 & connected matters Page 11 of 11 This is a digitally signed order.
The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above. The Order is downloaded from the DHC Server on 24/04/2025 at 22:13:48