Section 9 interim protection continues for 90 days, then automatically vacates unless varied by the tribunal.

The Petitioner held exclusive co-branding rights for Patel Nagar Metro Station under a ten-year License Agreement dated 29 January 2024. It carried out beautification works, including a balloon installation on station pillars, which it said had been approved by the Respondent. The Respondent maintained that balloon panels on pillars Nos. 180–190, supported by iron frames, were not approved and interfered with outdoor advertising rights granted to another entity

After the Respondent sought removal of signage, the Petitioner invoked the contractual conciliation mechanism and filed this petition under Section 9 of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996, seeking interim protection against removal of the works. The Court had earlier directed status quo while conciliation talks were ongoing

Whether the interim status quo arrangement concerning the beautification works should continue pending initiation of arbitral proceedings.

Whether, upon constitution of the Arbitral Tribunal, the interim-relief application should be placed before it for consideration under Section 17 of the Act.

Section 9 of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 empowers a court to grant interim measures in aid of arbitration; Section 17 provides for interim measures by the Arbitral Tribunal.

The Court made no determination of the parties’ substantive contractual rights or the merits of the dispute. It directed that the interim application be considered by the Tribunal upon its constitution, with the Tribunal free to continue, modify, vary or vacate the existing arrangement.

With conciliation ongoing and the dispute concerning the parties’ competing claims over the balloon installation unresolved, the Court preserved the existing status quo for a limited period rather than deciding whether the installation was authorised or interfered with the third party’s advertising rights.

It directed the Petitioner to initiate arbitral proceedings and provided for the pending interim-relief matter to be considered by the Tribunal under Section 17. All rights and contentions were left open.

The status quo arrangement was continued for 90 days from the order and would automatically stand vacated thereafter unless addressed by the Tribunal. Upon its constitution, the petition was to be treated as an application under Section 17, and the Tribunal could continue, modify, vary or vacate the interim arrangement.