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A. Background
Picture the following scenario:
a) A (a foreign company) enters into an agreement with B (an Indian company) for development of certain infrastructure.
b) A proceeds with the contract.
c) Disputes arise between the parties.
d) A initiates arbitration for recovery of monies against B. The seat of arbitration is in India.
e) Arbitration proceedings are on. A’s witnesses are to be cross examined.
f) B files a criminal complaint with the police, alleging offenses under the Indian Penal Code on the facts/issues to be determined in arbitration. First Information Report (FIR) is registered. Police calls A’s Directors for investigation. These Directors are foreign nationals.
g) A concerned Director seeks legal advise. He is told that (i) he could be arrested; (ii) that if arrested, he would need to apply for bail; (iii) if granted bail, he could be told to deposit his passport and/or will be prevented from leaving the country till the trial is concluded; and (iv) anticipatory bail, even if granted, could lead to the imposition of terms similar to (iii) above.
h) The Director decides to leave India.
i) The cross-examinations are derailed at least for the time being. The lawyers of A are now receiving instructions via conference calls at an important stage of the arbitration.
j) The Directors of A file quashing petitions before the concerned High Court. The High Court issues notice and then there is a long gap of several years before the matter is taken up and decided.
k) In the meantime, A decides it has had enough. It settles the dispute with B and the criminal proceedings are withdrawn.
The above scenario is not a self-created one. It was a reality. And this is not the only one.
B. You Get What You Want
This story is from the December 2019 edition of Legal Era.
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This story is from the December 2019 edition of Legal Era.
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