In Brief
A contractor awarded a construction contract submitted a no-dues certificate on 21 September 2012, received final payment on 10 October 2012, then withdrew the certificate on 24 October 2012 claiming it was obtained under duress. The contractor later sought arbitration for claimed losses incurred during execution. The Supreme Court held that mere assertions of coercion without credible material support do not suffice to invoke arbitration. Where a final bill is mutually signed and accepted in full settlement, the contract is discharged by accord and satisfaction. The contractor's late withdrawal of the no-dues certificate, coupled with absence of contemporaneous protest and lack of detailed evidence of duress, rendered the claim bereft of credibility. The Court allowed the appeal, holding no arbitrable dispute existed.
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