The Supreme Court of India, in a significant order, has appointed former Chief Justice of India, Justice D.Y. Chandrachud, to act as a mediator in a commercial dispute between Euro Pratik Ispat (India) Private Limited and Geomin Industries Private Limited. A bench comprising Justice J.B. Pardiwala and Justice K.V. Viswanathan also directed a stay on all pending civil and criminal proceedings between the parties until a mediation report is submitted. The decision came while hearing a Special Leave Petition filed by Euro Pratik Ispat challenging an order of the High Court of Madhya Pradesh.
Background of the Case
The litigation originated from an order passed by a Commercial Court on July 31, 2024. The Commercial Court had returned a plaint filed by Geomin Industries, citing non-compliance with the mandatory pre-institution mediation requirement under Section 12A of the Commercial Courts Act, 2015.
Geomin Industries challenged this decision before the High Court of Madhya Pradesh at Jabalpur. On August 11, 2025, the High Court allowed the appeal (FA No. 1550/2024). The High Court set aside the Commercial Court’s order, holding that since the suit sought urgent interim relief, it was not barred by Section 12A(1) of the Act. Consequently, the suit was restored to the file of the Commercial Court for adjudication.
Furthermore, the High Court granted an interim injunction, restraining Euro Pratik Ispat from “transporting and selling the 170,000 MT of iron ore, subject matter of the agreement dated 03.04.2023,” until the Commercial Court decided the application for temporary injunction under Order 39 Rules 1 & 2 of the Code of Civil Procedure.
Aggrieved by this judgment and order, Euro Pratik Ispat (India) Private Limited filed the present Special Leave Petition before the Supreme Court.
Court’s Analysis and Decision
During the hearing on September 19, 2025, the Supreme Court heard extensive arguments from Senior Advocate Dr. Abhishek Manu Singhvi, appearing for the petitioner Euro Pratik Ispat, and Senior Advocate Mr. Gopal Subramanium, appearing for the respondent Geomin Industries. The Court noted that “Manifold contentions were sought to be raised in the course of the hearing on either side.”
After considering the materials on record and hearing the counsel, the bench observed that the dispute could be amicably resolved through mediation. The Court stated, “…we are of the view that this long drawn litigation between the parties which is getting murkier and murkier day-by-day could be brought to an end if the parties are persuaded to go for mediation before any Former Judge of this Court, more particularly considering the nature of the disputes between them and the stakes involved therein.”
The Court recorded that its proposal for mediation was “very graciously accepted” by both senior counsel.
In light of this consensus, the Supreme Court passed the following orders:
- Appointment of Mediator: Hon’ble Dr. Justice D.Y. Chandrachud, former Chief Justice of India, was appointed to act as the mediator to resolve the disputes between the parties.
- Stay of Proceedings: The Court directed both parties to maintain “status-quo” and ordered that any pending civil or criminal proceedings between them shall remain stayed until the mediator’s report is received and further orders are passed.
- Mediation Process: The parties are to appear before the learned mediator to proceed with the resolution process. The fees for the mediator are to be fixed in consultation with the parties.
- Reporting and Next Hearing: The mediator has been requested to furnish a report at the earliest. The Supreme Court has listed the matter for further directions after eight weeks.
