Delhi High Court Appoints Arbitrator for PVR INOX and Ansal Plaza Mall Dispute
The Delhi High Court has stepped in to resolve a conflict between PVR INOX and Ansal Plaza Mall in Greater Noida. PVR INOX, a company that operates movie theaters, claims that its four-screen multiplex at Ansal Plaza Mall was sealed because the mall’s owner, Sheetal Ansal, did not pay government dues.
PVR INOX has asked the court for about Rs 4.5 crore in damages. Justice C Hari Shankar said that there is a clear dispute that needs arbitration and appointed an arbitrator to handle the case. The court also allowed the mall’s owner to make a counter-claim during the arbitration.
Advocate Sumit Gehlot, representing PVR INOX, explained that his client had a lease agreement with Sheetal Ansal since June 7, 2018. PVR INOX had invested a lot of money in setting up the multiplex, including Rs 1.26 crore as a security deposit. However, on June 6, 2022, the government issued a notice to recover Rs 26.33 crore in dues from Ansal Property and Infrastructure Ltd. Despite repeated requests, the dues were not paid, leading to the sealing of the mall on July 23, 2022.
PVR INOX claims that the lessor was responsible for paying all taxes and dues according to the lease agreement. Due to the lessor’s failure, PVR INOX faced significant financial losses and is seeking compensation for these losses, including the security deposit, costs for moveable assets, and business losses.
After terminating the lease and receiving no response, PVR INOX filed petitions in the Delhi High Court. On July 30, 2024, Justice C Hari Shankar appointed an arbitrator to resolve the issue. PVR INOX was represented by Advocate Sumit Gehlot from Fidelegal Advocates & Solicitors.
Doubts Revealed
Delhi High Court -: The Delhi High Court is a big court in Delhi, India, where important legal cases are decided.
Arbitrator -: An arbitrator is a person who helps solve disputes between two parties without going to court.
PVR INOX -: PVR INOX is a company that runs movie theaters in India.
Ansal Plaza Mall -: Ansal Plaza Mall is a shopping mall located in Greater Noida, a city near Delhi.
Greater Noida -: Greater Noida is a city near Delhi, known for its modern infrastructure and development.
Lessor -: A lessor is a person or company that rents out property to someone else.
Sheetal Ansal -: Sheetal Ansal is the person or company that owns the property where PVR INOX’s multiplex is located.
Rs 4.5 crore -: Rs 4.5 crore is a large amount of money in Indian currency, equal to 45 million rupees.
Justice C Hari Shankar -: Justice C Hari Shankar is a judge at the Delhi High Court who made the decision to appoint an arbitrator.
Advocate Sumit Gehlot -: Advocate Sumit Gehlot is a lawyer representing PVR INOX in this dispute.
Multiplex -: A multiplex is a large movie theater with multiple screens showing different movies at the same time.
