Authority: Gauhati High Court (High Court of Assam, Nagaland, Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh)

Order Date: 20.08.2026

Case Overview

  • Petitioner: M/S 3479 N. N. Singh Security Agency, represented by its proprietor Colonel N. N. Singh (Retired), registered at House No. 54, Ward No. 31, Udayan Path, Prantik Path By‑Lane, Dwaraka Nagar, Dispur, Guwahati‑781022 (additional address A‑5, Amerigog Heights, 9th Mile, Khanapara, Near CRPF Camp, Gate No. 2, Assam‑781037).
  • Respondents: Food Corporation of India (FCI) and seven other officials, including the Chairman cum Managing Director, Executive Directors (Security and Zone), General Manager (Region), Area Manager, Divisional Manager, Director General Resettlement (Ministry of Defence), and Additional Director General Resettlement (East).
  • Nature of Proceeding: Writ petitions under Article 226 challenging FCI’s refusal to release payment for staff engaged under a security contract.
  • Contractual Provisions Cited: Clause XIII(b) authorising the contractor to engage adequate staff to the satisfaction of the Area Manager; Clause 13 of Annexure‑A requiring identity cards for contractor‑engaged staff, countersigned by FCI authorities.
  • Disputed Facts: Alleged excess staff engaged beyond the numbers stipulated in the contract.
  • WP(C)/1316/2025: Agreed 26 staff, claimed 31 engaged.
  • WP(C)/6549/2024: Agreed 28 staff, claimed 32 engaged.
  • WP(C)/289/2025: Agreed 52 staff, claimed 59 engaged.
  • Prior Related Writs:
  • WP(C)/5842/2021 dismissed on 26.02.2026, with liberty to approach a competent civil court as the issue involved disputed facts.
  • WP(C)/4014/2017 dismissed on withdrawal on 17.11.2023.
  • Additional Evidence: A communication dated 07.12.2022 from the Director General to the Chairman & Managing Director of FCI, reportedly not yet addressed.

Final Outcome

  • The Court directs the respondent authorities (FCI) not to withhold the amount pertaining to the agreed number of staff in each petition and to release the payment expeditiously, preferably within 45 days from the order date.
  • For any additional staff beyond the agreed numbers, the petitioners are permitted to approach the appropriate civil court and must establish that such engagements were actually made.
  • The Court emphasizes that any civil‑court proceedings must be conducted strictly in accordance with law.

Topics: Legal Dispute, Contractual Payment