Authority: Uttarakhand High Court
Order Date: 02 July 2026
Case Overview
- Parties: Avaneesh Enterprises (Petitioner) vs Uttarakhand Rural Road Development Agency (Respondent) and other respondents.
- Contract: Road construction awarded in 2019; work partially completed; four time extensions granted; further extension denied on 20 January 2024.
- Dispute: Petitioner invoked Clause 24.1 of the contract to refer dispute to Senior General Manager, WAPCOS Ltd, on 24 January 2024; no decision received.
- Reliefs Sought: (I) Quash the communication/order dated 09 June 2026 withholding security deposit, performance security and other contractual dues; (II) Mandamus directing competent authority to decide the dispute within a stipulated time; (III) Mandamus directing respondents not to take coercive action until decision.
Final Outcome
- The writ petition is disposed with a direction to the competent authority (respondent No.2) to take a final decision on the reference within two months from 2 July 2026, or earlier if decided.
- No coercive action shall be taken against the petitioner for the two‑month period or until the decision is made, whichever is earlier.
- The order dated 09 June 2026 withholding the petitioner’s security deposit and other dues is quashed.
- All pending applications, if any, are disposed.
Topics: Contract Dispute, Infrastructure, Judicial Relief