K. N. GURUSWAMY vs THE STATE OF MYSORE AND OTHERS.

The Supreme Court held that the cancellation of a liquor contract auctioned under the Mysore Excise Act, 1901, by the Excise Commissioner was proper, despite being irregular, as he acted within his authority. However, the Deputy Commissioner's subsequent acceptance of a tender from a rival contractor was deemed wrong due to the lack of proper procedure and notification as mandated by the Act. The Court denied the appellant's request for a writ of mandamus to cancel the contract awarded to the rival, citing the impending expiration of the contract as a reason for ineffectiveness of such relief.