UNION OF INDIA vs M/S RAUNAQ INTERNATIONAL LTD.

The Supreme Court addressed the interpretation of Section 20 of the Arbitration Act, 1940, determining that a court's role is primarily ministerial when an arbitration agreement exists and disputes arise from it. The Court upheld the High Court's ruling that the Additional District Judge should have referred all claims to arbitration, emphasizing that the court should not assess the arbitrability of claims at this stage. Consequently, the appeals by the Union of India were dismissed, affirming the High Court's decision to refer all claims to arbitration.