On Thursday, the Supreme Court's division bench stated unequivocally that it would not interfere with the proceedings before the Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC) tribunal in the Amazon-Future Group dispute. During a discussion of the case, the court stated that Future Group was "trying to be too clever by half" by filing applications in Indian courts.

"The fact you will move Article 227 plea was not within contemplation. You cannot keep stultifying the proceeding before the arbitral tribunal and this is just a ploy to delay the proceeding. These are all ploys by well-heeled parties to delay the arbitration proceeding. Your client is trying to be too clever by half."

Senior Advocate Gopal Subramanium, appearing for Amazon, told the court that the arbitral tribunal of three reputable international arbitrators was scheduled to conduct the final leg of proceedings on November 28, and that this should not be postponed in any way.

The Bench was informed that, in a detailed 64-page order issued in June, the tribunal denied Future's request to terminate the arbitration and decided to proceed with the proceedings. Future Group, on the other hand, filed an Article 227 petition in the Delhi High Court, challenging the decision.

Senior Advocate KV Viswanathan for Future Group prayed that the hearing be adjourned without any orders, arguing,

"Over maintainability, order was reserved by the High Court...Statement of defence has also been submitted before the tribunal. We say that termination application is not decided since they have kept it open to be heard with the main application...We submitted that we come within the exceptional circumstances which was very narrow."

Case Details

Amazon.Com Nv Investment Holdings Llc Vs. Future Coupons Private Limited

SLP(C) No. 020914 - 020917 / 2022