GANPATI CONSTRUCTION Vs. STATE OF CHHATTISGARH

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Rejection of the bid submitted by the Petitioners pursuant to the tender floated by the Respondent-State in connection with the 'Construction and maintenance of rural road i.e. CC Road SH-5, Khodgaon to Anjrail Foth Hill under System NIT No. 62000 and 504", stating that it was belated is under challenge; despite the fact that, it was sent about one month ago through 'speed post' and the same was served well within time i.e., at 3.50 pm on 23.04.2020, the last date and time for submitting the bid being 23.04.2020 at 5.00 pm.

(2.) The prayers are in the following terms :

(3.) On 22.05.2020, we heard Shri B. P. Sharma (the learned counsel who was appearing for the Petitioners at that point of time), who stated that, the bid was submitted 'Online' and the supporting affidavit and such other materials were submitted 'Offline' - as prescribed - by 'speed post' on 23.03.2020. By virtue of the delay due to lock-down, it came to be delivered by the Postal Department only on 23.04.2020 at 3.50 pm which was within the stipulated time, as the time limit was up to 5.00 pm on that day. It is contended that the Petitioner has been wrongly ousted from the field and his bid has not been considered.