CT. A. CT. NACHIAPPA CHETTIAR AND OTHERS vs CT. A. CT. SUBRAMANIAM CHETTIAR

The Supreme Court held that the reference and award in a partition suit could not be challenged on the grounds of dealing with foreign immoveable properties, as the trial court had previously determined it lacked jurisdiction over such properties. The Court clarified that the award did not divide or declare shares in the foreign properties but merely recited the fact of separation and equal enjoyment of properties in Pudukottai. Furthermore, it was established that the terms 'suit' and 'court' in Section 20 of the Indian Arbitration Act, 1940 encompass appellate court proceedings, affirming the validity of the reference under Section 21 of the Act.