UNION OF INDIA vs SURJEET SINGH ATWAL

The Supreme Court held that the Subordinate Judge in Delhi had jurisdiction to entertain an application under Section 20 of the Indian Arbitration Act, 1940, for making a reference to an arbitrator, as the contract was executed in Delhi. The Court clarified that an application under Section 34 for stay of a suit does not constitute an application 'in any reference' as required by Section 31(4). Thus, the appeal against the Punjab High Court's ruling was dismissed, affirming the Delhi Court's jurisdiction to refer disputes to arbitration.