1 2026:CGHC:24275-DB NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR WPC No. 1582 of 2026 Maruti Nandan Enterprises Through Its Sole Proprietor Mr. Naynit Kumar Kedia, Having Its Registered Address At H.N. 11017 In Front Of Holy Cross School, Station Road, Ambikapur, Distt. Sarguja, Chhattisgarh. ... Petitioner(s) versus 1 - State Of Chhattisgarh Through The Chief Secretary, Government Of Chhattisgarh, Mantralaya, Mahanadi Bhawan, Nava Raipur, Atal Nagar, Raipur, Chhattisgarh. 2 - Chhattisgarh State Industrial Development Corporation Ltd. (Csidc) Through Its Managing Director, 1st Floor, Udyog Bhawan, Ringh Road No. 1, Telibandha, Raipur, Chhattisgarh. 3 - Chhattisgarh Infortech Promotion Society (Chips) Through Its Chief Executive Officer, 3rd Floor, Sdc Building, Opp. New Circuit House, Civil Lines, Raipur, Chhattisgarh. ... Respondent(s) For Petitioner(s) : Mr. Manoj Paranjpe, Sr. Adv along with Mr. Kabeer Kalwani, Advocate For Respondent(s) : Mr. Shashank Thakur, Add. A.G., Mr. Trivikram Nayak & Mr. Rajesh Kumar Kesharwani, Advocates MANPREET KAUR Digitally signed by MANPREET KAUR Date: 2026.06.18 18:42:47 +0530 2 Hon'ble Shri Ramesh Sinha, Chief Justice Hon'ble Shri Ravindra Kumar Agrawal , Judge Judgment on Board Per Ramesh Sinha , Chief Justice 17.06.2026 1. Heard Mr. Manoj Paranjpe, learned Senior Advocate along with Mr. Kabeer Kalwani, learned counsel for the petitioner. Also heard Mr. Shashank Thakur, learned Additional Advocate General for respondents / State, Mr. Trivikram Nayak, learned counsel for respondent No.2 and Mr. Rajesh Kumar Kesharwani, learned counsel for respondent No.3. 2. The present writ petition has been filed by the petitioner with the following prayers: “A. writ(s)/ order(s)/ direction(s) directing the Respondent Authorities to proceed further in the matter as per the order dated 09.03.2026 and they may further be directed to conclude the entire process of award of contract within a stipulated period of 30 days with all consequential benefits B. writ(s)/ order(s)/ direction(s) directing the Respondent Authorities to issue work order in favour of the Petitioner and they may further be directed to execute the contract in 30 days. C. Any other order which this Hon'ble Court deems appropriate, in the interest of justice.” 3. The brief facts of the case are that Respondent No. 2 issued Tender No. CSIDC/EE/DIV.-II/2025-26/14 dated 07.01.2026 (System No. 183413) for construction of OHT, RCC sumpwell and allied water 3 supply works under the Water Supply Upgradation Scheme at Urla, District Raipur. The petitioner, a sole proprietorship concern engaged in execution of such works, participated in the tender process and submitted its bid along with the requisite Earnest Money Deposit of ₹24,84,500/-. Upon opening of the bids on 16.02.2026, the petitioner was declared the lowest (L-1) bidder. However, the tender came to be cancelled thereafter without assigning any reason. Subsequently, Respondent No. 2, vide communication dated 09.03.2026, acknowledged that the cancellation had occurred inadvertently and requested the competent authority to restore the tender on the e- procurement portal so that further action could be taken. Despite such acknowledgment, no steps were taken by the respondents for restoration or finalization of the tender process. Aggrieved by the arbitrary cancellation of the tender and the continued inaction of the respondent authorities despite admitting the error, the petitioner has preferred the present writ petition seeking appropriate directions from this Court. 4. Learned counsel for State submits that in compliance to the Court’s order dated 08.05.2026, the Chief Secretary, Government of Chhattisgarh has filed his personal affidavit dated 16.06.2026, which is reproduced as under: “1. That, I am the Chief Secretary, respondent no. 01 in the instant writ petition, as such, I am fully conversant with the facts of the submissions which has been drafted under my instructions. 4 2. That, the instant petition has been filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India whereby the petitioner is aggrieved with the unexplained cancellation of the tender bearing tender no. CSIDC/EE/DIV-II/2025-26/14 dt. 07.01.2026 (System no. 183413), cancelled on 21.02.2026 by the respondent no. 02. 3. That, vide order dated 15/04/2026, the Hon'ble Court had directed the State Government to revisit the entire issue and make an endeavour to resolve the issue at governmental level. The Hon'ble Court had further observed that, interference by this Court would be warranted only in the event the action of the authorities is found to be arbitrary, unreasonable, or unsustainable in the eyes of law. 4. It is most respectfully submitted that, the matter was taken up for hearing again on 08/05/2026 and an affidavit of the deponent, i.e. the Chief Secretary, Government of Chhattisgarh, was filed. After perusal of the affidavit, the Hon'ble Court was pleased to observe in paragraph 10 of the said affidavit that, the Department of Electronics & Information Technology is in process of constituting a fresh committee to revisit/review the said issue and a decision would be taken within two weeks in this regard. The Hon'ble Court also directed a fresh affidavit to be filed by the Chief Secretary, Government of Chhattisgarh. 5. It is most respectfully submitted that, the entire issue was duly considered and revisited by the competent authority in view of the direction issued by the Hon'ble Court with an intent to resolve the issue. It is submitted that, in furtherance thereto, an order dated 11/05/2026 was passed by the State Government, Department of Electronics & Information Technology, Mantralaya Raipur, with respect to the proceedings to be adopted regarding roll-back of tenders. 5 The copy of the order dated 11/05/2026 is annexed herewith as ANNEXURE A-1/1 for kind perusal of the Hon'ble Court. 6. It is most respectfully submitted that, the State Government, Department of Electronics & Information Technology, has passed the aforesaid order dated 11/05/2026 in due compliance of the direction issued by the Hon'ble Court with respect to revisiting and resolving the issue pertaining to the instant writ petition as also laying down the four corners for a decision of ROLL BACK OF TENDERS. 7. Attention of the Hon'ble Court is drawn to the endorsement serial no.1 of the order referred to in Paras 5&6 above, vide which Respondent no.02, has also been directed to get the specific matter under consideration of the Hon'ble Court, resolved. 8. That, the deponent reiterates his highest regard and respect for this Hon'ble Court and humbly assures that all directions, orders and observations issued by this Hon'ble Court shall be complied with promptly, faithfully and in their true letter and spirit. 9. That, the aforesaid affidavit is being sworn by me in compliance of Hon'ble Court's order dated 08/05/2026.” 5. A perusal of the affidavit filed by the Chief Secretary, Government of Chhattisgarh, reveals that in compliance with the orders passed by this Court on 15.04.2026 and 08.05.2026, the issue pertaining to cancellation of the tender in question has been revisited by the State Government. It has been stated that the Department of Electronics & Information Technology has issued an order dated 11.05.2026 laying down the procedure and framework governing roll-back of tenders, and 6 respondent No.2 has also been directed to take appropriate steps for resolution of the dispute involved in the present case. 6. Learned counsel for the respondent No.2 /CSIDC submits that during the pendency of the present petition, the State Government revisited the issue relating to rollback of tenders and issued guidelines dated 11.05.2026 prescribing a procedure for restoration of tenders in appropriate cases. Pursuant thereto, CSIDC has already forwarded the matter to its administrative department on 21.05.2026 seeking necessary recommendation for rollback and restoration of the tender in question and the matter is presently under process. 7. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that since the State Government has already framed guidelines dated 11.05.2026 governing roll-back of tenders and respondent No.2 has forwarded its recommendation for restoration of the tender in question, the administrative department concerned may be directed to take an expeditious decision thereon and complete all consequential formalities within a stipulated time-frame so as to ensure that the tender process is taken to its logical conclusion. 8. We have heard learned counsel for the parties and perused the documents appended with the petition. 9. In view of the submissions made by learned counsel for the parties and considering the stand taken by the respondents in their affidavits, particularly the fact that the State Government has revisited the issue and issued guidelines regarding rollback of tenders and that the proposal forwarded by Respondent No.2 is presently under 7 consideration of the administrative department, this petition is disposed of with the hope and trust that the concerned administrative department shall do the needful and take an appropriate decision on the proposal at the earliest, in accordance with law, so that the grievance raised by the petitioner is expeditiously redressed. Sd/- Sd/- (Ravindra Kumar Agrawal) (Ramesh Sinha) Judge Chief Justice Manpreet