2025:KER:28316 WP(C) NO. 45235 OF 2024 1 IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM PRESENT THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE C.S.DIAS WEDNESDAY, THE 2ND DAY OF APRIL 2025 / 12TH CHAITHRA, 1947 WP(C) NO. 45235 OF 2024 PETITIONER: C.T.THAMBI AGED 50 YEARS S/O.T.D.SUNNY, RESIDING AT 'ANUGRAHALAYAM', CHAKKALAKKAL HOUSE, KARIPPAKUNNU, PATTIKKAD-P.O, THRISSUR, PIN - 680652 BY ADVS. P.SHANES METHAR N.KRISHNA PRASAD A.MOHAMMED FAIZAL ARJUN P.V. HARKISH SREETHU V.S. RESPONDENTS: 1 KERALA WATER AUTHORITY REP. BY ITS MANAGING DIRECTOR, JALA BHAVAN, VELLAYAMBALAM, THIRUVANTHAPURAM, PIN - 695033 2 THE SUPERINTENDING ENGINEER OFFICE OF THE SUPERINTENDING ENGINEER, KERALA WATER AUTHORITY, PH CIRCLE, KALMANDAPAM, PALAKKAD, PIN - 678001 3 THE EXECUTIVE ENGINEER OFFICE OF THE EXECUTIVE ENGINEER, KERALA WATER AUTHORITY, WS PROJECT DIVISION, PALAKKAD, PIN - 678001 SC – SRI.P.M.JOHNY, SRI.GEORGIE JOHNY THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 02.04.2025, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: 2025:KER:28316 WP(C) NO. 45235 OF 2024 2 Dated this the 2nd day of April, 2025 JUDGMENT The writ petition is filed to direct the second respondent to substitute the performance guarantee deposited by the petitioner as per Ext.P2 agreement, by adjusting the amount from Ext.P3 bill issued by the third respondent. 2. The petitioner is a works contractor, who was awarded the work covered by Ext.P1 letter of acceptance. Consequently, the petitioner had executed Ext.P2 agreement and deposited Rs.80,25,000/- with the second respondent towards performance guarantee of which 50% was in form of treasury deposit and the balance 50% in the form of bank guarantee. The petitioner has successfully completed the work. The third respondent has issued Ext.P3- CB3 voucher pertaining to CCXth and & part bill. Due to the delay on the part of the respondents in paying the certified bills, the petitioner is unable to pay his creditors, suppliers 2025:KER:28316 WP(C) NO. 45235 OF 2024 3 and labourers. In the said background, the petitioner has requested the respondents to substitute the performance guarantee submitted for Ext.P2 agreement by adjusting the amount from Ext.P3 bill. However, the respondents have not taken any action in the matter. In an identical matter, by Ext.P7 judgment, this Court has permitted the above course. The petitioner is entitled to the benefit of a similar judgment. Hence, the writ petition. 3. Heard; the learned counsel for the petitioner and the learned Standing Counsel appearing for the respondents. 4. On a consideration of the facts and the materials on record, especially in view of the fact that the third respondent has issued Ext.P3 bill, I am satisfied that the writ petition is to be allowed. In the aforesaid circumstances, I allow the writ petition, by directing the second respondent to substitute the performance guarantee submitted by the petitioner for Ext.P2 agreement by adjusting the amount 2025:KER:28316 WP(C) NO. 45235 OF 2024 4 from Ext.P3 bill. Needless to mention, the petitioner would have to execute the requisite undertaking/indemnity letter in favour of the respondents as per their regulations. The above exercise shall be carried out by the respondents within one month from the date of production of a certified copy of this judgment. The writ petition is ordered accordingly. SD/- rmm2/4/2025 C.S.DIAS, JUDGE 2025:KER:28316 WP(C) NO. 45235 OF 2024 5 APPENDIX OF WP(C) 45235/2024 PETITIONER EXHIBITS Exhibit P1 A TRUE COPY OF THE LETTER OF ACCEPTANCE (WORK ORDER) DATED 1 1.0 4 . 2 0 2 2 OF THE SECOND RESPONDENT Exhibit P2 A TRUE COPY OF THE RELEVANT PAGES OF THE AGREEMENT NO.3/2022-23/SE/PHC/PKD DATED 05.05.2022 BETWEEN THE PETITIONER AND THE SECOND RESPONDENT Exhibit P3 A TRUE COPY OF THE CB3 VOUCHER DATED 7.12.2024 PERTAINING TO 10 TH AND PART BILL OFEXT.P1 Exhibit P4 A TRUE COPY OF THE REPRESENTATION DATED 30.10.2024 SUBMITTED BY THE PETITIONER BEFORE THE SECOND RESPONDENT Exhibit P5 A TRUE COPY OF THE G.O. (RT) NO. 5989/2020/FIN. DATED OCTOBER 16, 2020 Exhibit P6 A TRUE COPY OF THE ORDER NO. JB/5408/2023 - F1(FUNDS)DATED 06.01.2024 ISSUED BY THE MANAGING DIRECTOR OF THE FIRST RESPONDENT Exhibit P7 A TRUE COPY OF THE JUDGMENT OF THIS HON’BLE COURT DATED 10.12.2024 IN W.P.(C) NO. 42936 OF 2024