No Interim Relief U/S 9 Of A&C Act Without Exceptional Circumstances After Conciliation Fails & Arbitration Starts Under MSME Act: Calcutta HC

Calcutta High Court held that no interim relief under Section 9 of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act can be granted without exceptional circumstances after conciliation fails and arbitration commences under the MSME Act. Section 9 allows courts to grant interim measures of protection before or during arbitration proceedings. The court's stance suggests a reluctance to interfere at the interim stage once the dispute resolution process has formally moved to arbitration, especially in cases governed by the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Act, unless there are compelling reasons to do so.