As per the case facts, a company from Afghanistan filed a petition under Section 11(6) of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996, seeking to appoint an arbitrator for disputes arising ... from franchise agreements. The petition's maintainability was contested, primarily on the ground that it was barred by the Limitation Act, 1963. The appeal to the Supreme Court aimed to clarify whether the Limitation Act applies to such applications and if a court can refuse to refer claims that are clearly time-barred. The question arose whether the Limitation Act, 1963, is applicable to an application for the appointment of an arbitrator under Section 11(6) of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996, and if so, whether the present petition is time-barred; additionally, whether a court can refuse a reference if the claims are