POORNA CATERERS Vs. UNION OF INDIA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Both these writ petitions are filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India by different petitioners, claiming identical relief, as such, I find it expedient to decide both the writ petitions by common order, since the issue involved in all the writ petitions is one and the same.

(2.) This writ petition is filed challenging the action of Respondent Nos.2 and 3 in issuing the impugned order vide IRCTC/SCZ/ZO(CATG)/104/2021/ZO/SCZ dtd. 16/10/2024 directing the petitioner herein to stop the operations i.e. Train Side Vending (TSV) License to manage on Board Catering Services on SC-DHNE Sec. (including GDW-RC Sub-sec. ) over South Central Railway from 16/12/2024, without considering the request of the petitioner for extension of license for period of contract in which petitioner's services were non-operational due to Covid-19 Pandemic, as arbitrary, illegal, unjust, contrary to principles of natural justice and violative of petitioner's right guaranteed under Articles 14 & 19(1)(g) of the Constitution of India.

(3.) The brief facts of the case are that the petitioner's firm is engaged in the business of Food Catering Services. The 2nd respondent issued E-Tender No.IRCTC/SCZ/1/NIT-14/TSV/2019/01 dtd. 10/8/2019 for Train Side Vending (TSV) License to manage on Board Catering Services on SC-DHNE Sec. for 5 years. The 3rd respondent issued a Letter of Award dtd. 16/10/2019 in favour of the petitioner. Thereafter, an agreement dtd. 26/10/2022 was entered into between the petitioner and the 2nd respondent and providing TSV services as per the terms of the Agreement.