RAUNAK AGENCY Vs. STATE OF MIZORAM

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Both the petitions project a challenge to the appointment of respondent Nos. 7 and 8, M/s. M.V. Marketing (P.) Ltd. New Delhi and M/s. Martin Lottery Agencies Ltd., Mumbai respectively as the sole selling agent for Mizoram State Online Lottery. The decision taken on 5.4.2007 by the State of Mizoram to the said effect has been impeached as illegal, arbitrary and lacking in transparency.

(2.) I have heard Mr. A.C. Borbora, senior advocate assisted by Mr. M. Gunadhar Singh, advocate for the petitioner in W.P.(C) No. 1880/2007, Mr. G.N. Sahewalla, senior advocate assisted by Md. Islam, advocate for the petitioner in W.P.(C) No. 2174/2007, Mr. A. Dasgupta, learned Additional Advocate General, Mizoram, for the official respondents, Mr. P.K. Goswami, senior advocate assisted by Mr. S. Sharma, advocate for the respondent No. 7 and Mr. A.K. Phukan, senior advocate assisted by Mr. R. Phukan, advocate for the respondent No. 8.

(3.) The thumbnail facts gleaned from the pleadings of the parties are indispensably essential for laying down the factual foundation for better comprehension of the rival contentions.