Authority: Supreme Court of India

Order Date: 26-10-2026

Case Overview

  • Petitioners: Siliguri Jalpaiguri Development Authority (SJDA). Respondents: Bengal Unitech Universal Siliguri Projects Limited, with additional impleaded parties MLA Infra Projects LLP and Authum Investment & Infrastructure Limited.
  • The matter arises from the High Court at Calcutta judgments (GA‑COM No. 2/2024, GA‑COM No. 3/2024, EC No. 91/2023) concerning the auction of two land parcels, Part‑A and Part‑B, each measuring 46.48 acres.
  • Part‑B auction was conducted on 08‑Oct‑2026 and is confirmed by the Court; SJDA may proceed with related actions.
  • MLA Infra Projects LLP filed IA No. 324595/2026 alleging exclusion from the Part‑A auction on technical grounds and expressed willingness to outbid the existing highest offer of ₹265 crore by an additional ₹20 crore.
  • Authum Investment & Infrastructure Limited is the current highest bidder for Part‑A.
  • Several other IAs (10581/2026, 10585/2026, 304194/2026) are pending before the High Court; the Supreme Court notes they are sub‑judice and will be dealt with independently.

Final Outcome

1. Confirmation that the Part‑B auction held on 08‑Oct‑2026 is valid; SJDA may continue related processes.

2. MLA Infra Projects LLP is impleaded as a respondent and must:

  • Deposit an Earnest Money Deposit (EMD) of ₹20 crore with SJDA within three days of this order.
  • Deposit 20 % of the offered bid amount (20 % of ₹265 crore = ₹53 crore) with SJDA within one month.

3. The remaining 80 % of the bid amount (₹212 crore) shall be deposited with the Registry of this Court within three months from today.

4. Authum Investment & Infrastructure Limited is also impleaded to allow it an opportunity to outbid MLA Infra Projects LLP; cause titles of the Special Leave Petitions are to be amended accordingly.

5. Notice to Authum Investment & Infrastructure Limited shall be issued by all modes, including dasti.

6. The Court notes that applications IA 10581/2026, IA 10585/2026 and IA 304194/2026 are pending before the High Court; the present orders do not affect those proceedings.

7. A copy of IA 326873/2026 shall be furnished to counsel appearing for the award‑holder.

8. The remuneration due to the learned Observer, Mr. Krishna Murari Prasad Gupta, shall be released within one week from today.

9. Any amount received by SJDA towards the 20 % component shall be deposited with the Court Registry, which shall invest it in an interest‑bearing Fixed Deposit in a nationalised bank for six months with an auto‑renewal clause.

10. The auction of Part‑A shall be re‑listed on 28‑Nov‑2026.

Topics: Land Auction, Court Order