Velani A v. The Secretary to Government

O R D E R The petitioner challenges the impugned Government Letter dated

20.02.2026 issued by the first respondent.

¶2Mr. M. Ajmal Khan, learned Additional Advocate General, appearing for the respondents, upon instructions, submitted that the Appellate Authority, after considering the materials on record, had rightly held that there was no illegality in the acceptance of the financial bid of the third respondent. Therefore, according to him, the impugned order passed by the Appellate Authority does not warrant any interference by this Court.

¶3The submissions of the learned counsel appearing on either side have been duly considered.

¶4A perusal of the impugned order passed by the Appellate Authority reveals that, except stating that the third respondent was the lowest bidder, none of the grounds raised by the petitioner in the memorandum of appeal have been considered. The Appellate Authority ought to have assigned reasons for rejecting the grounds urged by the petitioner. In the absence of any such reasons, the impugned order suffers from violation of the principles of natural justice and is therefore not legally sustainable.

¶5In view of the above, the writ petition stands allowed and the impugned order dated 20.02.2026 passed by the first respondent is set aside. The first respondent is directed to reconsider the appeal filed by the petitioner afresh and pass a reasoned and speaking order, in accordance with law, after affording an opportunity of hearing to both the petitioner and the third respondent.

¶6The aforesaid exercise shall be completed within a period of one month from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.

¶7There shall be no order as to costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petitions are closed.

Index :Yes / No

15.04.2026 Internet :Yes / No NCC :Yes / No cmr To

1.The Secretary to Government, Municipal Administration Water Supply Department, Secretariat, Chennai - 9.

2.The Executive Officer, Thondi Town Panchayat, Ramanathapuram District.

HEMANT CHANDANGOUDAR, J.

cmr

15.04.2026

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 15.04.2026 CORAM THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE HEMANT CHANDANGOUDAR and W.M.P.(MD)Nos.4824, 4826 and 4830 of 2026 A.Velani ... Petitioner vs. 1.The Secretary to Government, Municipal Administration Water Supply Department, Secretariat, Chennai - 9. 2.The Executive Officer, Thondi Town Panchayat, Ramanathapuram District. 3.Vel Groups, Represented by M.Sakthivel, S/o.Muthandi, No.5/3547, Tharavai Thoppu, Akkal Madam, Pamban, Ramanathapuram District. ... Respondents PRAYER: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for issuance of Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus, to call the records relating to proceedings of the 1st Respondent made in Government Letter (pa)No. 120/Paru- 2(2)/2026-1, dated 20.02.2026 and quash the same and consequently, to direct the Respondents No. 1 and 2 to award the Tender Work in favour of the petitioner. For Petitioner :Mr.R.Murali For Respondents :Mr.M.Ajmal Khan Additional Advocate General assisted by Mr.P.Subbaraj Special Government Pleader for R1 and Mr.M.Sarangan, Additional Government Pleader for R2 Mr.S.Ramsundar Vijayaraj, for R3 *****