Authority: Supreme Court of India

Order Date: 17-07-2026

Case Overview

  • Petition for Special Leave to Appeal (C) No.23232/2026, arising from the impugned final judgment and order dated 08-05-2026 of the High Court of Punjab & Haryana (CWP No.14169/2026).
  • Parties: State of Punjab & Ors. (Petitioner) vs. Akaal SahayE Workshop (Respondent).
  • The petition sought exemption from filing O.T. (IA No.194726/2026) and challenged the High Court's interim order staying the re‑tendering process.
  • Counsel for petitioners: Mr. Vivek Jain, A.A.G.; Mr. Karan Sharma, AOR. No counsel listed for respondent.
  • The Supreme Court bench comprised Hon'ble Mr. Justice M.M. Sundresh and Hon'ble Mr. Justice Prasanna B. Varale.

Order Details

  • The Court noted that the petitioner’s grievance pertained only to one bus, whereas the High Court’s interim order appeared to stay re‑tendering for 99 other buses.
  • The Court clarified that the impugned High Court order shall only pertain to the tender concerning the single bus in question.
  • The order is issued ex‑parte and will remain operative till 28.07.2026, the next scheduled hearing before the High Court.
  • For the remaining 99 buses, the re‑tendering process may continue, subject to further orders that may be passed in the pending writ petition expected to be listed on 28.07.2026.
  • The Court emphasized that this order does not empower the petitioner to award the tender; any award requires separate appropriate orders from the High Court.
  • Both parties are at liberty to raise all their contentions on the next High Court hearing date.
  • The Special Leave Petition is hereby disposed of, and any pending applications, if any, are also disposed of.
  • The order bears the digital signatures of Kritika Tiwari (date: 2026.07.23 17:01:24 IST) and Poonam Vaid, Court Master (SH) Assistant Registrar.

Final Outcome

  • The Supreme Court limited the effect of the High Court’s stay to the single bus tender, allowed re‑tendering for the other 99 buses, set the order’s validity until 28 July 2026, and disposed of the Special Leave Petition and any pending applications.

Topics: Legal; Public Procurement