THE ORIENTAL INSURANCE CO. LTD. vs DICITEX FURNISHING LTD.

The Supreme Court upheld the Bombay High Court's decision to appoint an arbitrator under Section 11(6) of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996, rejecting the insurer's argument that the respondent's acceptance of a discharge voucher indicated no arbitrable dispute. The Court clarified that the existence of a signed discharge voucher does not preclude arbitration if there are unresolved claims. The ruling reinforces the principle that arbitration can proceed even in the presence of disputes regarding the extent of claims under an insurance policy.