STATE OF ORISSA vs BHAGYADHAR DASH

The Supreme Court examined the validity of an arbitration agreement under Section 11 of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996, in the context of disputes between contractors and the State of Orissa. The Court reiterated the essential elements of a valid arbitration agreement as outlined in K.K. Modi v. K.N. Modi and further clarified that the intention of the parties to refer disputes to arbitration must be evident from the agreement's terms. The Court ultimately held that the clause in question constituted a valid arbitration agreement, thereby upholding the High Court's decision to appoint arbitrators.