VALENTINE MARITIME LTD Vs. UNION OF INDIA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Heard. Rule. Rule made returnable forthwith by consent of the parties.

(2.) The petition is directed against the alleged illegal and arbitrary action of the respondent No.2 in awarding the contract of laying subsea oil pipeline and other associated works to the respondent No.3. It is claimed by the petitioner that it was a lowest bidder and the arbitrary tender process has caused huge financial loss to the public exchequer.

(3.) The facts necessary for deciding the petition are as under: