Authority: Supreme Court of India
Order Date: 21 September 2026
Case Overview
- Petition: Special Leave Petition (Civil) No. 27, Court No. 13, Section XII, filed by C. Padmambigai against Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Ltd (ONGC) & others, arising from the High Court judgment dated 01‑12‑2025 in WA No. 3566/2025.
- Petitioner alleges non‑compliance by respondents 1 & 2 with clause/paragraph 4A (page 40) of the Public Procurement Policy for Micro and Small Enterprises (MSE) Amendment Order, 2018, which reads: "4A. Special provision for Micro and Small Enterprise owned by women. Out of the total annual procurement from Micro and Small Enterprises, 3 per cent from within the 25 per cent target shall be earmarked for procurement from Micro and Small Enterprises owned by women."
- The petition also references paragraph 11 (page 202) of the High Court judgment dated 06‑08‑2025, which states that the 3 % target was not achieved from FY 2018‑19 to 2024‑25, but the Additional Solicitor General contended that ONGC is progressing towards the target and that the issue would not invalidate tender conditions.
- Counsel for petitioner: Senior Advocate Jayant Muthu Raj and a team of advocates; counsel for respondents not listed.
- Bench: Hon’ble Mr. Justice K.V. Viswanathan and Hon’ble Mr. Justice Arun Palli.
Final Outcome
1. Delay in filing the petition was condoned.
2. The Court is not inclined to interfere with the award of the tender in favour of respondent 3.
3. The Court noted the petitioner’s grievance regarding non‑compliance with clause 4A and ordered notice to respondents 1, 2, 4 and 5 to respond to the submissions, with replies returnable on 04 December 2026.
4. No notice was issued to respondent 3 at this stage.
5. The Court clarified that the Special Leave Petition is entertained solely to examine the women‑empowerment aspects of the matter.
Topics: Women Empowerment, Public Procurement, Judicial Review