#post-award interim relief

Bombay High Court rules that post-award interim protection under Section 9 of the Arbitration Act is exceptional and requires 'rare compelling circumstances'. The court allowed continuation of bank guarantees pending Section 34 challenge, reinforcing security interests in public utility contracts despite arbitral award directions.

Bombay High Court rules that an unsuccessful party in arbitration can seek interim relief under Section 9 to extend a bank guarantee securing awarded liquidated damages, aligning with the Supreme Court’s recent precedent in Home Care Retail Marts. The decision clarifies that post-award relief is not barred merely because the applicant lost the arbitration, expanding access to protective measures during challenge proceedings.