GANESHGARHIA CONSTRUCTION PRIVATE LIMITED vs NATIONAL HIGHWAYS AUTHORITY OF INDIA & ORS.

Judgment text excerpt

$~J * IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI % Judgment pronounced on: 11.12.2025 + W.P.(C) 9232/2025 and CM APPL.39180/2025 GANESHGARHIA CONSTRUCTION PRIVATE LIMITED .....Petitioner Through: Mr. Nalin Kohli, Sr. Advocate along with Mr. Pramod Kalirana, Ms. Nimisha Menon, Mr. Manish Chaudhary and Mr. Aman Yadav, Advocates. versus NATIONAL HIGHWAYS AUTHORITY OF INDIA & ORS. .....Respondents Through: Mr. Santosh Kumar, SC along with Mr. Devansh Malhotra, Advocate for NHAI. CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SACHIN DATTA JUDGMENT FACTUAL MATRIX 1. The present petition has been filed by the petitioner assailing an order dated 30.06.2025, whereby, the contract dated 25.07.2024 executed between the petitioner and respondent no.1 has been terminated and the petitioner has been debarred for a period of one year from participating in any NHAI tender/projects. The petitioner also assails a Show Cause Notice dated 05.05.2025 and a penalty letter dated 12.02.2025, issued by the respondents. 2. The present petition arises in the background of a contract dated Signature Not Verified Digitally Signed W.P.(C) 9232/2025 Page 1 of 24 By:CHINU LUTHRA Signing Date:12.12.2025 13:48:32 25.07.2024 for “Engagement of user fee collection agency on the basis of competitive bidding through e-tender at Chapwa, Distt. Maharajganj Fee Plaza at km 11.070 for the section from km. 0.000 to km. 40.706 (40.706 km. length) of 2 laning of Sonauli to Gorakhpur Section of NH-24, in the State of Uttar Pradesh and upkeep/maintenance of adjacent Toilet blocks including recouping the consumable items.” The said work was awarded to the petitioner for the period between 29.07.2024 to 29.07.2025 with an annual remittance amounting to Rs.6,82,10,000/-. 3. The impugned actions undertaken by the respondents arose pursuant to