P. SHAILAJA vs M. NARENDER REDDY .

The Supreme Court held that the findings regarding the validity of the arbitration agreement and the staleness of the claim were matters for the arbitrator to decide, not the court. The Court set aside the impugned order and appointed a retired judge as the sole arbitrator to resolve the disputes, clarifying that all contentions, including limitation and the stale nature of the claim, would be open before the arbitrator. The appeal was allowed with no costs awarded.