ASHISH JAISWAL vs NATIONAL HIGHWAYS AUTHORITY OF INDIA

Judgment text excerpt

$~54 * IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI + W.P. (C) 6562/2025 & CM APPLs. 29766-67/2025 ASHISH JAISWAL .....Petitioner Through: Mr.Roopansh Purohit, Adv. versus NATIONAL HIGHWAYS AUTHORITY OF INDIA ....Respondent Through: Mr.Santosh Kumar, Adv. % Date of Decision: 16th May, 2025 CORAM: HON'BLE THE CHIEF JUSTICE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE TUSHAR RAO GEDELA JUDGEMENT TUSHAR RAO GEDELA, J: (ORAL) 1. The present writ petition is filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, seeking issuance of an appropriate writ, order, or direction for quashing the entire bidding process initiated vide the invitation for e-quotation dated 27.03.2025, bearing reference No. NHAI/13013/547/CO/24-25/EQ/Balleepur Fee Plaza/E-273934, issued by the respondent/National Highways Authority of India (hereinafter referred to as “the NHAI”). The petitioner further seeks quashing of the Letter of Award (hereinafter referred to as “the LOA”) dated 15.04.2025, as well as the order dated 08.05.2025, whereby the respondent/NHAI directed the petitioner to deposit the bid security amount of Rs.10,00,000/-. The petitioner also challenges the impugned action of the respondent/NHAI debarring the petitioner from participating in future bids with effect from 08.05.2025 from the list of pre-qualified bidders. Signature Not Verified Digitally Signed W.P. (C) 6562/2025 Page 1 of 8 By:MADHU SARDANA Signing Date:20.05.2025 16:36:42 2. The petitioner’s case is that he submitted his bid on 02.04.2025, prior to the stipulated deadline of 11:00 A.M., in response to the respondent’s invitation for e-quotation dated 27.03.2025 for the operation of the Balleepur Fee Plaza. However, the respondent/NHAI subsequently extended the deadline for bid submission to 03.04.2025 at 11:00 A.M., without any prior notice or public