HARI KISHAN Vs. UNION OF INDIA AND ORS.

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Petitioner before this Court, was granted a contract for catering and running refreshment room unit on platform no. 1 at Agra Fort Railway Station, Agra. This contract was entered into between the Railways and petitioner on 21st June, 1997. According to paragraph no. 4 of the writ petition, the term of the contract was last extended on 07.05.2015 and that under the extension, the petitioner has right to continue for a period of six months, i.e. up to 20.10.2015 (reference page 49 of the writ petition).

(2.) It is the case of petitioner that without considering the renewal of his term in accordance to the policy decision of Railways known as 'Catering Policy, 2010', the respondents are proceeding to settle the catering rights for running of refreshment rooms by inviting fresh tenders. It is contended that identical matters are engaging the attention of Hon'ble Supreme Court in the case of Senior Divisional Commercial Manager Vs. S.C.R. Caterers Dry Fruits and others being Special Leave to Appeal (Civil) No(s). 9921 - 9923 of 2014, wherein interim order has been passed permitting the Railways to continue with the process of tendering, but finalization of tenders has been stayed till further orders.

(3.) Reference has also been made to the interim order dated 28.08.2014, passed by this Court in Writ Petition No. 45383 of 2014 - M/s Dharmendra Kumar Catering Licencee Vs. Union of India Thru' Secy. Rly. Board and 3 Others.