ARCHITECTS ATELIER Vs. UNION OF INDIA AND ANOTHER

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution challenges order dated 10.3.2011 (P-9), passed by the Indian Institute of Technology, Ropar-respondent No. 2, whereby it has been decided to abandon/terminate the process of selection of Architectural/Consultant firm for preparation of master plan of IIT Ropar campus and design of buildings and allied services. In July 2010, the process for empanelment of architects for preparation of master plan of IIT, Ropar, Campus and design of buildings and allied services was initiated by inviting sealed tenders. It has been claimed that after opening of the technical bids, the name of the petitioner was amongst top ten firms. After presentation of their project, its name was included in the top three. After opening of the financial bids, it was at the top. It is alleged that without going through the details of the tender documents and the tenders notice and the reply submitted by the petitioner to the queries raised, respondent No. 2 has passed the order dated 10.3.2011 (P-9).

(2.) We have heard Learned Counsel for the petitioner at length and are of the considered view that there is no legal infirmity in the order dated 10.3.2011 (P-9). Paras 10.0 and 11.0 of the notice inviting EOI (P-1) empowers the IIT Ropar to accept, reject, cancel, split any or all EOIs without assigning any reasons. Paras 10.0 and 11.0 of the notice inviting EOI reads as under: