In Brief
A works contract dispute was referred to arbitration, and the arbitrator awarded in favour of the contractor. The State challenged the award under Section 34 of the Arbitration Act after three years, seeking to amend its objections to include a jurisdiction challenge. The High Court allowed the amendment under Article 227, but the Supreme Court set aside that order. The Court held that jurisdiction objections can be raised under Section 34 even if not raised under Section 16, and that 'public policy of India' includes both Central and State laws. The matter was remitted for trial court determination on the merits."
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