PAUL CITY Vs. UNION OF INDIA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Heard Mr. A. Deb, learned counsel for the petitioners. Also heard Dr. B. N. Gogoi and Mr. A. Barkataky, leaned Standing counsel, Railways, as well as Mr. S. R. Prasad, Dy. Chief Manager (Material), N.F. Railways.

(2.) The case projected by the petitioners is that the Deputy Chief Manager (Material), N.F. Railway, Pandu, conducted e-auctions. The petitioner in WP(C) 5265/2015 participated in the e-auction at Depot - GSD, Pandu, on 30.10.2014 for sale of Rail 75 R US equal to 40 Nos equal to 424.35 RM equal to 15.756 MT under Lot No. HJO-SCRAP-14.6.14. The petitioner in WP(C) 5272/2015 participated in e-auction at Depot - GSD, Pandu, on 30.10.2014 for selling RAIL 75 R US equal to 357.00 RM equal to13.325 MT under Lot No. HJO-SCRAP-18.6.14. The petitioner in WP(C) 6509/2016 participated in e-auction at Depot - GSD, Pandu, on 21.10.14 for sale of Rail 52 Kg. US equal to 32 Nos. equal to 388.99 RM equal to 20.185 MT under Lot No. SSE-PWAY-HJI-JMK 10-14. The petitioner in WP(C) 4873/2016 participated in e-auction at Depot - GSD, Pandu, on 12.01.2016 for sale of Rail 75 R US equal to 26.649 MT under Lot No. AF-PW-CON-SCL-25-15-BPB.

(3.) It is the common case of the petitioners that their respective bids, being highest bids in respect of the respective e-auction, were accepted and that Balance Sale Value (BSV) was to be deposited within twenty days of issuance of Bid-Sheet wherein all details of the e-auction is given. In respect of all the petitioners, after the requisite payments were made and, in some cases with late fine for delayed payment, Sale Release Orders (SRO) were issued.