Authority: High Court of Orissa at Cuttack

Order Date: 31 July 2026

Case Overview

  • Petitioner: Abhiram Caretaking and Expert Services, Bhubaneswar, represented by Mr. S. Nanda, Advocate.
  • Opposite Parties: Registrar, Civil Courts, Balangir (Opposite Party No.1) and an unnamed entity that stood as the lowest bidder (Opposite Party No.2).
  • Nature of Proceeding: Writ Petition (Civil) No.23670 of 2026 concerning alleged irregularities in the selection of the lowest bidder (L1) under the Request for Proposal (RFP) annexed as Annexure‑1.
  • Allegations: Petitioner claims Opposite Party No.2, despite being declared L1, does not satisfy basic eligibility criteria prescribed in notifications annexed as Annexure‑3 and Annexure‑4, rendering the tender process defective. The grievance was also filed before the District Judge, Balangir.
  • Court Composition (Coram): Justice B. P. Routray and Justice Chittaranjan Dash.

Order Details

1. The Court heard counsel for both parties and, without expressing any opinion on the merits, disposed of the writ petition at the admission stage.

2. The Court directed the Registrar, Civil Courts, Balangir (Opposite Party No.1) to consider the petitioner’s grievance as outlined in Annexure‑8, provide an opportunity of hearing to both the petitioner and Opposite Party No.2, and render a decision in accordance with law within ten (10) days of receipt of a certified copy of this order along with the writ petition.

3. The Court observed that the work order associated with the tender has not been made effective to date and ordered that the work order shall not be given effect until the Registrar’s decision is taken.

4. The Court directed that an urgent certified copy of this order be issued on the same day.

Final Outcome

  • The writ petition is dismissed at the admission stage; the Registrar, Civil Courts, Balangir must evaluate the grievance, conduct a hearing for the parties, and refrain from implementing the work order until a lawful decision is made, all within a ten‑day timeframe.

Topics: Tender Procurement, Court Proceedings