Delhi High Court Grants Interim Injunction Against Vexatious Proceedings in Singapore
Engineering Projects (India) Limited Secures Relief from Contempt Action in Cross-Border Arbitration Dispute
In a significant ruling, the Delhi High Court has granted an interim injunction in favor of Engineering Projects (India) Limited (EPIL), restraining MSA Global LLC (Oman) from pursuing contempt proceedings in the Singapore High Court. The decision, delivered by Justice Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav, underscores the Indian judiciary's stance on protecting domestic entities from vexatious and oppressive international litigation.
The legal battle between EPIL and MSA Global LLC emanated from a sub-contract concerning a Border Security Project, dated September 21, 2015. Disputes arose, leading MSA Global LLC to initiate arbitration under the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) in Singapore. EPIL raised concerns regarding the impartiality of an arbitrator nominated by the defendant, which escalated the conflict into a multifaceted legal confrontation across jurisdictions.
Earlier this year, EPIL filed a suit in Delhi, challenging the arbitration proceedings and seeking an anti-arbitration injunction. The Delhi High Court, in its judgment dated July 25, 2025, found the arbitration proceedings prima facie vexatious and oppressive, granting interim relief to EPIL. This judgment is currently under appeal before the Division Bench, with the decision reserved.
Despite the pending appeal, MSA Global LLC proceeded to initiate contempt proceedings in Singapore, prompting EPIL to seek judicial intervention in India. The Delhi High Court's latest order emphasizes the principles of judicial comity and restraint, acknowledging the potential for conflicting outcomes and multiplicity of proceedings if the Singapore contempt action were allowed to continue.
Justice Kaurav's judgment highlights the three essential conditions for granting an interim injunction—prima facie case, balance of convenience, and irreparable injury—all of which were found to favor EPIL. The court noted that allowing the contempt proceedings to proceed would cause irreparable harm to EPIL, given its global presence and the risk of prejudicing its rights in the ongoing arbitration dispute.
The ruling sends a strong message regarding the Indian judiciary's readiness to intervene in international disputes to prevent procedural manipulation and protect domestic entities from unwarranted legal burdens. The injunction will remain in effect until the next hearing scheduled for October 13, 2025, with EPIL instructed to comply with procedural requirements under the Civil Procedure Code.
This case serves as a critical precedent in cross-border arbitration disputes, reaffirming the judiciary's role in safeguarding the interests of Indian companies against oppressive litigation strategies.
Bottom Line:
Arbitration and International Jurisdiction - Anti-suit injunction - Proceedings before the Singapore High Court related to contempt action against the plaintiffs, deemed vexatious and oppressive - Interim injunction granted restraining the defendant from continuing with contempt proceedings in Singapore.
Statutory provision(s): Arbitration Act, 1996, Civil Procedure Code, 1908, Order XXXIX Rules 1 and 2
Engineering Projects (India) Limited v. MSA Global LLC (OMAN), (Delhi) : Law Finder Doc Id # 2783803
