GARWARE WALL ROPERS LTD. vs COASTAL MARINE CONSTRUCTIONS ENGINEERING LTD.

The Supreme Court addressed the applicability of the arbitration clause in a sub-contract under the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996, particularly in light of the Indian Stamp Act, 1899. The Court held that the introduction of Section 11(6A) does not negate the requirement for the agreement to be duly stamped before arbitration can proceed, reaffirming the principles established in SMS Tea Estates (P) Ltd. v. Chandmari Tea Co. (P) Ltd. The Court concluded that the appointment of the arbitrator was premature as the agreement was unstamped, necessitating impounding before arbitration could be initiated.