SANPREET SINGH Vs. STATE OF PUNJAB

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The petitioner has invoked the writ jurisdiction of this Court claiming a writ of mandamus to grant approval to the bid given by the petitioner in the auction conducted on 10.1.2013. The respondents conducted E-Auction to grant mining lease in the area of Amritpur, District Kapurthala. The highest bidder in the said auction has offered bid of Rs. 20,12,00,000/- as against the petitioner, who had offered bid of Rs. 2,10,00,000/-. The highest bidder did not deposit 25% of the bid amount, therefore, the petitioner claims that he being the next highest bidder is entitled to acceptance of his bid as per Clause VIII of the auction notice.

(2.) Mr. Rajinder Goyal, learned Additional Advocate General, Punjab has pointed out that keeping in view the wide gap of the bid given by the petitioner and the highest bidder and on account of failure of the petitioner to match the highest bid of Rs. 20,12,00,000/-, it has been decided to scrap the earlier auction process and to conduct a fresh one, i.e., auction 14.2.2013.

(3.) Learned counsel for the petitioner has vehemently argued that in terms of the tender conditions, the respondents are bound to accept the bid offered by the petitioner. He has referred to the following judgments:-