Narayanan v. The District Collector

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED :21.12.2023

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE G.R.SWAMINATHAN W.P.(MD)No.16489 of 2023 and W.M.P.(MD) Nos.13787 and 24705 of 2023 Narayanan ... Petitioner Vs.

1.The District Collector, O/o. Collectorate, 2.The Plan Director, O/o. Collectorate, 3.The Assistant Director, (Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Department, O/o. Collectorate, 4.The Block Development Officer, Village Panchayat, 5.The President,

Kaladithidal Panchayat, 6.S.Anbarasu 7.Tamilarasu ... Respondents PRAYER : Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying for issuance of Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents 1 to 5 confirming the petitioner as successful bidder as per notification on 25.05.2023 and subsequently issue work order and estimate copy thereby restraining the 6th respondent not to conduct any work without further orders.

For Petitioner : Mr.V.Sebastinal Preethi For R1 to R4 : Mr.C.Satheesh Government Advocate For R6 : Mr.V.Karthick Raja for M/S.Ajmal Associates

O R D E R

Heard both sides.

2.The petitioner no doubt was the lowest bidder. Though the petitioner has a good case, the writ petition suffers from the vice of laches.

The tender process was concluded on 31.05.2023. The writ petition came to be filed only on 05.07.2023. Even when the interim order was granted on 07.07.2023, the learned Special Government Pleader informed the Court that the works have been completed. The question of entertaining the writ petition after completion of works does not arise at all. In any event, the private respondents cannot be blamed. The person, who had completed the work, is entitled to be paid. Therefore, on the ground of laches, the writ petition is dismissed. No costs. Consequently, connected Miscellaneous Petitions are closed.

21.12.2023 NCC :No Internet :Yes Index :No mm To 1.The District Collector, O/o. Collectorate, 2.The Plan Director, O/o. Collectorate,

3.The Assistant Director, (Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Department, O/o. Collectorate, 4.The Block Development Officer, Village Panchayat,

G.R.SWAMINATHAN, J.

mm W.P.(MD)No.16489 of 2023 21.12.2023