M/S Manish Kumar and Company and Ors v. Union of India and Ors

o INoTHEoHIGHoCOURToOFoPUNJABoANDoHARYANAo oAToCHANDIGARHoo o 134o o o o o o CWP-34275-2024o(O&M)o o o o o o o Reservedoono:o16.01.2025o o o o o o o Pronouncedoono:o22.04.2025o o M/soManishoKumaroandoCompanyoandootherso ...Petitionerso o o o Versuso o UnionoofoIndiaoandootherso o o ...Respondentso o 142o o o o o o CWP-766-2025o(O&M)o o ParveenoGoyaloandoanothero ...Petitionerso o o o Versuso o BharatoPetroleumoCorporationoLimitedoandootherso o o ...Respondentso o CORAM:o HON'BLEoMR.oJUSTICEooSURESHWARoTHAKURo HON'BLEoMR.oJUSTICEooVIKASoSURIo o Present:o Mr.oKshitijoSharma,oAdvocateoandoo Mr.oShubhkarmanoSinghoGill,oAdvocateoforotheopetitionerso o o inoCWP-34275-2024oandofororespondentoNos.7otoo11o o o inoCWP-766-2025.oooo o o o Mr.oSanjeevoSharma,oSr.oAdvocateowithoo Mr.oVikramoSingh,oAdvocate,oMr.oJuganshoGoyal,oAdvocateo andoMr.oIshnooroBains,oAdvocateoforotheopetitionerso o o inoCWP-766-2025.oo o o o Mr.oAkashdeepoSingh,oAdvocateoo fororespondentoNo.1o–oUOIoinoCWP-34275-2024.oooo o o o Mr.oRamanoSharma,oAdvocateowithoo o o Ms.oAakritioSharma,oAdvocateoandoo o o Mr.oAmarshoDudeja,oAdvocateoo fororespondentoNo.2oinoCWP-34275-2024oandoo fororespondentoNos.1otoo4oinoCWP-766-2025.oo o Mr.oManinderoSingh,oSr.oDeputyoAdvocateoGeneral,oPunjab.oo o o o o o *****o CWP-34275-2024oando766-2025o -2-o o o VIKASoSURI,oJ.o

1.o o Sinceo botho theo aboveo captionedo petitionso ariseo fromo theo sameotenderoandoinvolveocommonoquestionsoofofactsoandolaw,otherefore,o theyoareoamenableotoobeodecidedothroughoaocommonoverdict.oWithotheo consentoofotheoparties,ofactsoareobeingoreferredofromoCWP-34275-2024,o exceptowhereomentionedootherwiseoinocontextotootheodiscussion.ooo

2.o o Througho theo instanto writo petitions,o theo petitionerso hereino prayoforotheohereinafteroextractedoreliefs:o o PrayeromadeoinoCWP-34275-2024o Issueoaowritoofomandamus/certiorariooroanyootherowrit,oorder,o directiono too directo theo Bharato Petroleumo Corporationo Limitedo(BPCL)otooimmediatelyotakeostepsotooensureothatotheo petitioners,oalloofowhooareosuccessfulotenderers,oandohaveo beeno issuedo letter(s)o ofo intent,o ino theo formo ando natureo ofo lettero ofo intento datedo 08.11.2024o (Annexureo P-2),o areo allowedo too completeo allo contractualo formalities,o includingo theosigningo ofotheotransporto agreement,o inductiono ofotanko trucks,oandosubmissionoofovalidoBankoGuarantees,owithouto obstruction/hindranceoandothreatofromolocalotransporters.o And/oro Ifo necessitated,o directo theo respondento Bharato Petroleumo CorporationoLimitedo(BPCL),otoograntoanyoextensionsoetc.,o toocompleteoallocontractualoformalities,oincludingotheosigningo ofo theo transporto agreement,o inductiono ofo tanko trucks,o ando submissiono ofo valido Banko Guarantees,o whicho haveo beeno delayed,onotoonoaccountoofoanyobreachobyotheopetitioners,obuto apparentlyo ono accounto ofo theo repeatedo disruptiono byo theo CWP-34275-2024oando766-2025o -3-o o o localotransporters,oandotheopersistentoinactionobyotheolocalo administrationoofoBathindaoDistrict.o o o o o o o And/oro Furthero issueo ao writo ofo mandamus/certiorario oro anyo othero writ,oorder,odirectionotheoDeputyoCommissioneroofoBhatindao andotheoSuperintendentoofoPolice,oBhatinda,otooimmediatelyo takeoeffectiveoandonecessaryoactionotoorestoreolawoandoordero atotheoBPCLoBhatindaoDepotoandoensureothatonoounlawfulo protestsooroblockadesoareoallowedotoopreventotheopetitionerso fromo completeo allo contractualo formalities,o includingo theo signingoofotheotransportoagreement,oinductionoofotankotrucks,o andosubmissionoofovalidoBankoGuarantees,oinoviewoofotheo apparentofailureoofotheolocaloadministration,owhichohasofailedo tooactoinopursuanceotootheorepresentationsodatedo22.11.2024,o

25.11.2024,o 05.12.2024,o 06.12.2024,o 07.12.2024,o

08.12.2024,o10.12.2024,o13.12.2024,o16.12.2024o(Annexureo P-4otooAnnexureoP-27),obyotheopetitioners.o And/oro Duringotheopendencyoofotheowritopetition,otheopetitionersobeo allowedo too completeo allo contractualo formalities,o includingo theosigningo ofotheotransporto agreement,o inductiono ofotanko trucks,oandosubmissionoofovalidoBankoGuarantees,owithouto obstructionofromolocalotransporters.o And/oro Furthero directotheo localo authoritieso toosuitablyo protectotheo petitioners'olegalorights,oandoifowarrantedotakeoappropriateo coerciveoactionotoopreventofurtheroharassment,odestructionoofo property,oandointerferenceowithobusinessooperationsoofotheo petitioners.o CWP-34275-2024oando766-2025o -4-o o o And/oro AnyootheroreliefothatothisoHon'bleoCourtomayodeemofitoando propero ino theo interestso ofo justiceo ando equity,o includingo directingotheorespondentsotoodecideotheolegalonoticeodatedo

16.12.2024o(AnnexureoP-28)o Passoanyootherowritoorderoorodirection,owhichothisoHon'bleo courtomayodeemofitoandoappropriate,omayokindlyobeograntedo inofavouroofotheopetitionersoinotheofactsoandocircumstancesoofo theo presento case,o includingo directingo theo Respondentso too treatothisowritopetitionoasoaorepresentationoandoconsiderotheo pointso containedo hereino ando passo ao speakingo ordero aftero hearingotheopetitioner,oinotheointerestoofojustice,oequityoando fairoplay.o PrayeromadeoinoCWP-766-2025o

(i)k oIssueo Writ,o Ordero oro Directiono ino theo Natureo ofo CertiorarioforocancellationsoofoalloAwardoofoContracto (LetteroofoIntent)oandoAgreementsoexecutedobeyondo

08.12.2024,oi.e.olastodate,owithosuccessfulobiddersoono accountoofobreachoofomandatoryotermsoofosupplyoofo theo Tanko Lorries,o furnishingo ofo Securityo Deposito /o BankoGuaranteeoandoExecutionoofoAgreementowithino theostipulatedotimeoofo30odaysoinoaccordanceowithotheo termso ofo Tendero No.BPCL/Retail/POL/Bulk/2024-2029/oBhatindao(AnnexureoP-1)obeingocontraryotootheo provisionso ofo theo aboveo referredo tendero ando prejudicialoagainstootherosuccessfulobiddersoincludingo theoPetitionersowhoohaveoexecutedotheocompliedowitho theoaboveotermsowithinotheoprescribedotimeoframe.o

(ii)k oIssueo ao Writ,o Ordero oro Directiono ino theo natureo ofo CWP-34275-2024oando766-2025o -5-o o o directingotheoRespondentsotootakeoimmediateoactiono andodecideotheoLegaloNoticeoforwardedoonobehalfoofo theotheoPetitionersovideo25.12.2024o(AnnexureoP-8)oino aotimeoboundomanner.o

(iii)k oIssueoanyootheroappropriateowrit,oorderoorodirection,oaso mayobeodeemedofitoinotheofactsoandocircumstancesoofo theopresentocase;o

(iv)k oTheo conditiono ofo filingo ofo certifiedo copieso ofo Annexuresomayobeoexempted;o

(v)k oTheoconditionoofoserviceoofoadvanceonoticeouponotheo respondentsomayokindlyobeoexempted;o Thato costso ofo theo writo petitiono mayo beo awardedo ino favouroofotheopetitioner.o

(vi)k oItoisofurtheroprayedothatoduringotheopendencyoofotheo presentowritopetition,otheoexecutionoofotheoagreementso mayo beo stayedo oro ino theo alternativeoproceedingso ofo tenderomayonotobeofinalisedoduringotheopendencyoofo theo presento writo petitiono ando /o oro theo agreementso executedo beyondo 08.12.2024o shouldo noto beo actedo upon.oo FactualoBackgroundo

3.o o BharatoPetroleumoCorporationoLimitedo(foroshorto'BPCL')o-o respondentoNo.2,opublishedoaodetailedonoticeoinvitingotendero(Annexureo P-1)otitledoaso'TenderoforoRoadoTransportationoofoBulkoPOLoProductso (MS/HSD/BrandedoFuels/SKO/ATF)obyoTOPoloadingoTankoLorriesofromo BPCLo Bathindao Depot,o Punjabo too variouso locationso (Depots/Retailo Outlets/directocustomeroetc.)owithinostateo(WS)oandooutsideostateo(OS)'o CWP-34275-2024oando766-2025o -6-o o o (foroshorto'DNIT').ooTheosubjectotenderowasoanoalloIndiaoonlineoopeno tender.o

3.1o o TheoDNITowasopublishedoono05.04.2024;oando12.04.2024o wasospecifiedoasotheopreobidomeetingodateo(onlineoVC).ooTheodueodateoando timeoofoonlineotenderosubmissiono(TechnicaloandoPriceoBidoboth),owaso initiallyo26.04.2024oato15:00ohrs,owhichowasosubsequentlyofirstoextendedo too 10.05.2024o ando theno too 13.05.2024.o o Theo aforesaido onlineo publico tendero beingo openo too theo wholeo countryo geographically,o applicationso wereoreceivedofromowithinotheoStateoofoPunjaboasowelloasofromooutside.oo

3.2o o Theo petitionerso ino CWP-34275-2024o areo theo successfulo bidderso fromo outsideo theo Stateo ofo Punjab,o whereaso theo petitionerso ino CWP-766-2025o areo theo successfulo bidderso fromo theo Stateo ofo Punjab.o Thus,otwoofactionsoofotransportersostoodoformed,othatois,ooneofromotheo StateoofoPunjabo(hereinafteroreferredotooaso'SetoA')oandotheootherobeingo fromooutsideotheoStateoofoPunjab,oi.e.orestoofoIndiao(hereinafteroreferredotoo aso'SetoB').oo

3.3o o Uponoopeningoofotheotenderoandoitsoallocation,ovideoletteroofo intentodatedo08.11.2024o(AnnexureoP-2),ocertainoobligationsoasoprovidedo underotheotenderodocumentowereorequiredotoobeofulfilled.oo

3.4o o Ito iso allegedo thato theo localo transporterso whoo areo alsoo membersoofoBathindaoTankoTruckoAssociation,ostartedoprotestingooutsideo theo maino gateo ofo BPCL,o Bathindao Oilo Depoto ando causedo resistance,o preventingotheosuccessfuloapplicantsofromophysicallyocollectingotheolettero CWP-34275-2024oando766-2025o -7-o o o ofointent,owhoodidonotoenjoyotheiropatronage.oo

3.5o o Theotenderoprocessowasodesignedotoobeoinoaotwoopartobido system,othroughoonlineomode.oTechnicalobidoconstitutedopartooneowhereaso priceobidoconstitutedopartotwo.oLetteroofointento(foroshorto'LOI')owasotoobeo issuedo too theo successfulo bidder(s)o followedo byo signingo ofo agreemento (contract)o ando othero formalitieso aso stipulatedo ino theo tendero document.o TankolorriesowereotoobeoengagedoonlyoafterosigningoofoAgreementoando submissionoofoSecurityoDeposito(BG)oalongowithootherodocumentsoando formalities.oClauseo30oofotheoDNITostipulatesotheotimeoperiodoforosigningo ofotheoAgreementoandoclauseo7oforosubmissionoofosecurityodeposit.ooIto wouldobeoappositeotooreferotootheorelevantoclausesoofotheoDNIT,owhichoareo extractedohereunderofororeadyoreference:-o

7.0oo Securityo Deposito (SD)o ino formo ofo Banko Guaranteeo

(BG)oo

7.1oo Theotankolorriesoofotheosuccessfulotendererowillobeoengagedo onlyo aftero signingo ofo Agreemento ando submissiono ofo Securityo Deposito (BG)o alongo witho othero documents/formalitiesoasoperoNIT.oo o

7.2oo BGo(SD)oAmounto Successfulo tendererso willo beo requiredo too furnisho Banko GuaranteeoatotheorateoofoRso8,00,000/-(RupeesoEightoLacso only)o pero contracto foro Generalo bidderso (includingo MSEo bidders)oandoRso50,000/-o(RupeesoFiftyoThousandoonly)o perocontractoforoSC/STobiddersowithino15odaysoofoissuanceo ofoLOI/WorkoOrder.o o

7.3oo BGo(SD)oValidityoo TheoBGoshallobeoinotheoformatospecifiedoandotooremainoino forceotillotheovalidityoofotheocontracto/Agreementowithoao claimo periodo ofo sixo monthso thereaftero oro valido uptoo sixo monthsobeyondocontractoexpiryoperiod.o o

7.4oo BGoDetailso CWP-34275-2024oando766-2025o -8-o o o o TheoBankoGuaranteeoshallobeofromoanyoIndianoscheduledo bankooroanointernationalobankooforeputeohavingoaobranchoino Indiao oro ao correspondingo bankingo relationshipo witho ano Indiano scheduledo banko ando preferablyo beo undero SFMSo system.oTheooriginaloBGoisorequiredotoobeosubmittedoatotheo followingoaddress:o o Name-oSubhasisoMohapatra,o SroMgr-Ops-l/coRetailoBhatinda,oo BharatoPetroleumoCorporationoLimited,oo BPCLoBathindaoDepot,oPhoosoMandi,o NearoJassioChowk,oManasoRoad,o Bhatinda,oPUNJAB-151001oo Phone-9471718090o Emailo-osubhasismohapat@bharatpetroleum.ino o

7.5oo BGoUnderoSFMSo o

7.5.1oo TooexpediteoBGoconfirmationoprocess,oBPCLohasotiedoupo witho ICICIo Banko foro implementationo ofo SFMSo Banko GuaranteeowhereinotheovendorohasotooquoteoouroIFSCocodeo ando BPCL'so Customero IDo too banko ato theo timeo ofo BGo applicationo basedo ono whicho ICICIo willo sendo ao swifto messageoconfirmationotoodedicatedoemailoIDoofoBPECoando theosameoshallobeoconsideredoasoBGoverifiedobyotheobank.oo o

7.5.2oo Accordingly,ovendors/oContractorsoshalloprovideoBPCL'so CustomeroID.o&oIFSCoCodeo(Detailsogivenobelow)otootheiro Banko ato theo timeo ofo applicationo foro Banko Guaranteeo ino favouroofoBPCL.oo o

7.5.3oo Issuingo Banko shallo issueo theo Banko Guaranteeo &o sendo SFMSo messageo too BPCLo Banko confirmingo theo Banko Guaranteeoasogenuine,oBPCL'soBanko(ICICI)oshalloinoturno sendotheosaidoSFMSomessageotooBPCL'sodedicatedoemailo IDo basiso whicho BPECo shallo considero theo saido Banko GuaranteeoasoverifiedobyoBank.oAfterogettingotheophysicalo BGofromotheovendor,oBPECoTeamoshallovalidateotheosameo withotheoSwiftomessageoandoshalloproceedowithotheoreleaseo ofopaymentotoovendorsowhichoisodueoagainstotheosaidoBanko Guarantee.oo o Tableo4-BPCLoBankoDetailsoforoSFMSoBGo o Banko NameoofoBank:oICICIoBanko o Branch:oICICIoBankoBackbayoBranch,oMumbaio IFSC:oICIC0000393o BPCL'SoCustomeroID:oBPCL583493800o CWP-34275-2024oando766-2025o -9-o o o o o o

7.6oo BGo(SD)oClaimso o Anyo loss/claimo and/oro damageo arisingo outo ofo theo performanceoofotheocontractowouldobeoadjustableoagainsto theoSD.oAnyoloss/claims/damagesohigherothanoSDowillobeo recoveredofromopaymentsodueotootheocontractorounderothiso contracto oro depositso madeo byo oro paymentso dueo too theo contractorounderoanyootherocontractowithoBPCL.o o

7.7oo BGoReturno o Securityo Deposito (Banko Guarantee)o wouldo beo returnedo afteroexpiryoofosixomonthsoofocompletionoofotheocontracto ono writteno requesto fromo theo contractor,o subjecto too satisfactoryoperformance.o o

20.0oo Corrigendumo/oamendmento o Corrigendum/amendment,oifoany,oshallobeonotifiedoonotheo BPCLo e-Tenderingo website.o Ino caseo anyo corrigendum/amendmentoisoissuedoafterotheosubmissionoofo theo bid,o theno sucho tenderers,o whoo haveo submittedo theiro bidsoshallobeointimatedoaboutotheocorrigendum/amendmento byo ao system-generatedo email.o Ino caseo ofo openo tendero corrigendumo/oamendmentowillobeoonowebositeoandonoomailo willobeosentoforotheotendererowhoohasonotoparticipatedobyo thato time.o Ito shallo beo assumedo thato theo informationo containedo thereino haso beeno takeno intoo accounto byo theo tenderer.oTheyohaveotheochoiceoofomakingochangesoinotheiro bidobeforeotheodueodateoandotime.oo o

21.0oo BidoSubmissiono/oBidoRevisiono/oBidoRe-Submissiono o

21.1oo Bido Submission:o Bidderso areo requiredo too completeo theo entireoTechnicalo(Pre-Qualification)oandoPriceoBidoprocesso onlineobyoclickingoonoFINALoSUBMISSIONo&oreceivingo confirmationoofofinalosubmissionoonoscreenoonoorobeforeo theodueodate/timeoofotheotender.o o

21.2oo Bido Re-Submission:o Ifo theo vendoro intendso too change/reviseotheobidoalreadyosubmitted,otheyoshallohaveo toowithdrawotheirobidoalreadyosubmitted,ochangeo/oreviseo theobidoandosubmitoonceoagain.oHowever,oifotheovendoroiso noto ableo too completeo theo submissiono ofo theo changedo /o revisedo bido withino dueo dateo &o time,o theo systemo wouldo consideroitoasonoobidohasobeenoreceivedofromotheovendoro againstotheotenderoandoconsequentlyotheovendorowillobeoouto ofo contention.o Theo processo ofo change/revisiono mayo beo CWP-34275-2024oando766-2025o -10-o o o doneoanyonumberoofotimesotillotheodueodateoandotimeoofo submissionodeadline.o However,o noobidocano beo modifiedo afterotheodeadlineoforosubmissionoofobidsoonlineoandoanyo bidso submittedo offlineo (hardo copies)o shallo noto beo consideredoforoevaluation.o o

21.3oo Onceo theo entireo processo ofo submissiono ofo onlineo bido iso complete,obidderowillogetoanoautoomailofromotheosystemo statingo bido submittedo successfullyo foro theo tendero witho details.o o

21.4oo Bids/Offerso shallo noto beo acceptedo ino e-procuremento systemoafterotheodueodateoandotimeoofotender.oOnlyotheobidso availableo ino theo BPCLo e-Tenderingo systemo undero "submitted"o statuso shallo beo consideredo foro furthero processing.oo o

21.5oo Noo manualo offerso alongo witho electronico offerso shallo beo permitted/accepted.o o

21.6oo Nooresponsibilityo willobeotakeno byoBPCLoand/orotheo e-procuremento serviceo providero foro anyo delayo dueo too connectivityo ando availabilityo ofo website.o Theyo shallo noto haveo anyo liabilityo too tendererso foro anyo interruptiono oro delayoinoaccessotootheositeoirrespectiveoofotheocause.oItoiso advisableothatotenderersowhooareonotowelloconversantowitho e-tenderingoprocedures,ostartofillingoupotheotendersomucho beforeotheodueodate/timeosoothatothereoisosufficientotimeo availableowithohim/herotooacquaintowithoallotheostepsoando seeko helpo ifo theyo soo require.o Eveno foro thoseo whoo areo conversantowithothisotypeoofoe-tendering,oitoisosuggestedotoo completeo allo theo activitieso aheado ofo time.o Ito shouldo beo notedothatotheoindividualobidobecomesoviewableoonlyoaftero theo openingo ofo theo bido on/aftero theo dueo dateo ando time.o Pleaseobeoreassuredothatoyourobidowillobeoviewableoonlyotoo youoandonobodyoelseotillotheodueodate/otimeoofotheotendero opening.oTheonon-availabilityoofoviewingobeforeodueodateo andotimeoisotrueoforoe-tenderingoserviceoprovideroasowelloaso BPCLoofficials.o o

21.7oo BPCLoand/orotheoe-procurementoserviceoprovideroshallonoto beo heldo responsibleo foro anyo directo oro indirecto losso oro damagesoandooroconsequentialodamages,oarisingooutoofotheo biddingo processo includingo buto noto limitedo too systemso problems,oinabilityotoouseotheosystem,olossoofoelectronico informationoetc.oo o

28.0oo StipulatedotimeoforoPlacementoofoTLso o CWP-34275-2024oando766-2025o -11-o o o AfteroissueoofoLOI,otheotendererotoopositionotheoTLsowithino followingostipulatedotime:o o

28.1oo ForoTopoLoadingoTLs.oo

28.1.1ooWithino30odaysofororeadyobuiltoTLs.o o

28.1.2ooTheosaleoinvoiceotoobeoprovidedowithino30odaysoforo TLsounderobookingoslipsobyoSC/STobiddersoandotooplaceo theoTLsowithino90odaysofromoLOIodate.o o

28.2oo ForoBottomoLoadingoTLso o

28.2.1ooWithino120odaysofromoLOIodateoinocaseotheoNITo requirementoisoforobottomoloadingotankolorries.oo o

28.2.2ooTheosaleoinvoiceotoobeoprovidedowithino30odaysoforo TLsounderobookingoslipsobyoSC/STobiddersoandotooplaceo theoTLsowithino120odaysofromoLOIodate.oo o

29.0oo Non-PlacementoofoTLs.o o

29.1oo Ino theo evento ofo non-placemento ofo Tanko Lorryo withino stipulatedotimeopostoissueoofoLOI,otheodefaultersowillobeo penalizedoasofollows:o o

29.1.1oFullononoplacementoofoTankoLorrieso-oForfeitureoofoEMDo includingoputtingotransportovendoroonoholidayolistoforofiveo years.o o

29.1.2oPartialonon-placementoofoTankolorrieso-oo o ForfeitureoofoRso1olakhoperolorryofromoSD-maximumouptoo SDo amount.o o Withdrawalo ofo LOIo ando cancellationo ofo contracto ifo theo fullo complemento ofo theo tanko lorrieso allocatedo (eveno ifo oneo TL)o buto noto placedo byo theo transporter.o o

29.1.3o Withdrawalo ando non-replacemento ofo TLso (includingo vehicleso withdrawno aftero attainingo maximumo age):o ForfeitureoofoRso1olakhoperotankolorryofromoSD-maximumo uptooSDoamount.oo o

30.0oo ExecutionoofoAgreemento o

30.1oo Successfulotenderer/sowillobeorequired,obeforeoundertakingo theocontract,otoosignotheoAgreement,owithino15odaysoofotheo dateoofoissueoofotheoLOIoandoshouldophysicallyoplaceotheo tank-lorriesoatotheolocationowithinotheostipulatedotimeofromo theoissueoofoWorkoOrder/LOI.oTheoTankolorriesoshallobeo inductedoafterophysicaloverification,oincludingoverificationo CWP-34275-2024oando766-2025o -12-o o o ofoEngineo&oChassisonos.oetc.o&ocomplianceoasoperoBPCLo standardocheckolistoavailableoatotheoBPCLolocation.oInocaseo ofofailure,oBPCLowillohaveotheorightotoorejectotheoinductiono ofosuchotank-lorries.o o

30.2oo Tenderersoareoadvisedotoocarefullyoscrutinizeotheospecimeno seto ofo Agreemento Formo enclosedo alongo witho tendero documents/downloadedo fromo ouro websiteo beforeo submittingotheirotender.oOneosetoshouldobeosubmittedowitho theotenderoonline,oinotokenoofoacceptanceoofotheotermsoando conditionso thereof,o ando othero seto beo retainedo witho theo tenderer.o o

30.3oo Ino caseo ofo Partnershipo Firmso ando Limitedo Companies,o whenotheopersonosigningotheotenderoisonototheoauthorizedo signatory,o necessaryo Powero ofo Attorneyo (aso pero theo proformao enclosed)o authorizingo theo signatoryo too acto ono behalfoofotheopartnership/firmoshouldobeoproducedobeforeo signingotheoagreement,oandoanoauthenticatedocopyoofotheo PoweroofoAttorneyoshouldobeosubmittedoforotheorecordoofo BPCL.o o

30.4oo Failureotooexecuteotheoagreementoando/oorofurnishorequiredo SecurityoDepositowithino15odaysoofoissueoofoLOIoando/ooro physicaloplacementoofoTankolorriesoatotheolocationowithino specifiedotimeofromoissueoofoworkoorderomayorenderotheo tenderero liableo foro forfeitureo ofo Earnesto Moneyo Deposito andoterminationoofocontractowithoutoprejudiceotootheorightso ofoBPCLotoorecoverotheodamagesounderoLaw.oo o

30.5oo Allotermso&oconditionsostipulatedoinotheoNoticeoInvitingo Tender,o Guidelineso foro Tenderers,o Tendero Termso &o Conditions,o Declarations,o Agreemento ando othero documentso furnishedo witho theo Tendero ando relatedo correspondenceoshalloformopartoofotheocontract.oo oo

44.0oo Negotiationsoetc.o o

44.1oo Itomayobeonotedothatotheotenderer/sosubmittingotheolowesto priceobidoneedonotoautomaticallyowinotheobusinessoand,oifo BPCLo iso noto satisfiedo witho theo priceo quotedo BPCLo reservesotheorightotoonegotiateowithoanyooroallotheobidderso toofinalizeosuitableorates.o o

44.2oo TenderersomayobeorequiredotoovisitoBPCLoTenderoBaseo/o Loadingo Locationo oro anyo othero officeo ofo theo BPCLo foro negotiationso /o verificationo ofo documents,o entirelyo ato theo costo ofo tenderers.o Theo Negotiationso mayo alsoo beo heldo onlineothroughovideooconferencingo(VC).o o CWP-34275-2024oando766-2025o -13-o o o

44.3oo Theobiddersoshallohaveotoosubmitotheonegotiatedoratesoino writingo ino theo formato specifiedo ando foro allo sectorso (includingo hillso ifo applicable)o ando offeredo TLo Standardo Sizes.oIncompleteoformatoshallobeoliableofororejection.o o

44.4oo Onlyotheoproprietoroofotheofirmoorotheolegallyoauthorizedo representativeo ofo theo firmo mayo personallyo attendo sucho negotiations,oasocommitmentsomadeoando/ooroclarificationso giveno duringo theo negotiationso willo beo bindingo ono theo tenderer/s.o He/Sheo shouldo carryo theo necessaryo authorizationotooattendosuchonegotiationsoandotoohandoovero ano authenticatedo copyo ofo theo sameo too BPCL'so representative/soparticipatingoinonegotiations.o o

44.5oo Further,oBPCLoreservesotheoright,oatotheirosoleodiscretiono andowithoutoassigningowhatsoeveroto,oo Divideotheoworkoamongocontractor(s),o Rejectoanyooroallotendersoeitheroinofullooroinopart,o Assigno theo offeredo ando acceptedo tank-lorrieso too anyo locationo (preferablyo withino sameo Region)o ando Engageo additionalo contractors/tank-lorrieso ato anyo timeo withouto givingoanyonoticeowhatsoeverotootheocontractor/soalreadyo appointedoagainstothisoTender.oo o

49.0oAdditionaloTankoLorrieso o

49.1oo Theoadditionalotank-lorries,oiforequiredobyoBPCL,ocanobeo offeredo too theo contractedo carrierso ofo theo concernedo locationoatotheorateofeltoappropriateobyoBPCLoincludingotheo BMRorateoorolowestorateo(L1)oofotheolocationowhicheveroiso lower.oo o

49.2oo Ino caseo ofo requiremento ofo additionalo tank-lorrieso byo BPCL,otheoCorporationoreservesotheorightotooinductonewo tank-lorryooperatorsoatotheofinalizedorateoforotheoconcernedo location.oo o

50.0oo TLoAssigningotoootheroLocationso o BPCLowillohaveotheorightotooassignotheotank-lorriesoofferedo ino anyo oneo tendero too anyo contracto ino anyo othero State/Region/Location,o ono anyo route,o temporarilyo oro permanently,oandotheodecisionoofoBPCLowillobeofinaloando bindingoonotheosuccessfulotendererso/ocontractors.o o

51.0oo SubmissionoofoDetailso o Tendereroshouldosubmitoallotheodetailsoandoenclosuresoaso hasobeenoaskedofor,oinotheotenderoform.oInocaseoanyoofotheo informationo iso noto applicableo too theo tenderer,o "Noto CWP-34275-2024oando766-2025o -14-o o o applicable"o mayo beo writteno againsto sucho item.o Noto submittingoanyoinformationo/oenclosureosoughtofor,omayobeo aogroundofororejectingotheotender.o o

52.0oo AcceptanceoofoTLso/oTendero o BharatoPetroleumoCorporationoLtd.oreservesotheorightotoo acceptoororejectoanyooroallotheotendersoinopartooroinototality,o oro too negotiateo witho anyo oro allo theo tenderers,o oro too withdrawo/ocancelo/omodifyothisotenderoorotooacceptosomeo oro allo ofo theo tank-lorrieso offeredo withouto assigningo anyo reasonowhatsoeveroandotheodecisionoshallobeobindingoono theoBidder.o o o

4.o o TheopetitionersoinoCWP-34275-2024oapproachedothisoCourto primarilyo witho theo grievanceo thato theo localo transporterso wereo causingo undue/ounlawfulointerferenceoandowereonotopermittingothemotooenterotheo BPCLo Depoto too executeo theo agreemento mandatedo byo theo tendero conditionsoandocommenceooperations.ooOnoadvanceonoticeoofotheowrito petition,o BPCLo appearedo througho counsel,o acknowledgedo theo factualo aspectoandosubmittedothatotheomatterowasounderoactiveoconsiderationoofo theo localo administration.o Theo sameo waso recordedo ino theo ordero datedo

18.12.2024,opassedobyoaocoordinateoBench,owhichoreadsoasothus:o o"Servedo witho theo advanceo copyo ofo theo petition,o Mr.o AkashdeepoSingh,oAdvocateoandoMr.oRamanoSharma,oAdvocate,o areopresentoinoCourtofororespondentsoNo.1oando2,orespectivelyo ando acceptso noticeo ono theiro behalf,o whereaso Mr.o Jastejo Singh,o DAG,oPunjab,oacceptsonoticeoonobehalfooforespondentsoNo.3otoo5.oo Ato theo outset,o Mr.o Ramano Sharma,o learnedo counselo foro respondentso No.2o submitso thato too addresso theo concerns/grievances,othatoareosoughtotoobeoraisedoinotheopetition,o theoAdditionaloDeputyoCommissioner,oBathinda,ohadoconvenedoao meetingo ono 09.12.2024,o witho theo senioro functionarieso ofo CWP-34275-2024oando766-2025o -15-o o o respondentoNo.2.oFurther,oheosubmitsothatotheolocalotransporterso ando theo localo successfulo tendererso areo noto lettingo theo outsideo bidders,o whoo succeededo ino theo process,o too executeo theo formalo contract/necessaryo agreemento ando commenceo operation.o Ito iso urgedothatotheomatteroisounderoactiveoconsiderationoofotheolocalo administrationoandowouldobeoresolvedoinotheoimmediateofuture.oo Similarly,o learnedo Deputyo Advocateo General,o Punjab,o praysoforotimeotooseekoinstructionsoandorespond."oo o Ino sequel,o ino theo subsequento hearingo ono 20.12.2024,o theo hereinaftero extractedoorderowasopassed:o "Statuso reporto byo wayo ofo shorto affidavito ofo Additionalo Deputyo Commissioner,o (Ruralo Development)o Bathinda,o ono behalfooforespondentoNo.4ohasobeenofiledoinoCourtotodayoandotheo sameoisotakenoonorecord.oCopyofurnished.oo Learnedocounseloforotheopartiesoareoadoidemothatoalthougho theopetitionersowereotheosuccessfulobiddersoandoperotheotendero conditionso ao formalo contracto waso requiredo too beo executedo betweeno theo partieso ono 13.12.2024,o buto owingo too ano undue/unlawfulo interferenceo byo theo localo transporterso aso alsoo thoseowhoowereosuccessfulobutolocal,otheosaidoagreementocouldo notobeoexecuted,oforoaolawoandoorderosituationowasocreatedoatosite.oo LearnedoStateocounsel,oonoinstructionsofromoRupinderoPalo Singho ADCo (Ruralo Development),o Bathindao ando Sh.o Karamjito Singh,oDSP,oSpecialoCrimeoBathinda,owhooareopresentoinoCourt,o submitsothatoeveryopossibleocooperationowouldobeoextendedotoo theo petitionerso aso alsoo theo respondento Corporationo too proceedo furtheroandocarryooutotheonecessaryoformalities.oo Learnedocounseloforotheorespondent-Corporationosubmitso thatoinotheowakeoofotheopeculiarofactsoandocircumstancesoofotheo case,otheopartiesoareofacedowith,otheocompetentoauthorityowouldo CWP-34275-2024oando766-2025o -16-o o o examineo theo mattero ino theo righto earnesto ando intimateo theo petitioners,oaccordingly,oasoregardsotheoformalitiesothatohaveotoo beocarriedoout.oAnd,oifonecessaryowrittenostatementoonobehalfoofo theorespondent-Corporationoshalloalsoobeofiledoonoorobeforeotheo adjournedodate.o Adjournedotoo15.01.2025.oo ThisoCourtoisosanguineothatotheocompetentoauthorityowouldo proceedo witho theo mattero ino theo righto earnesto ando withouto anyo furtherolossoofotime.oWeoareoassuredothatothereowouldonotobeoanyo undueoobstructionoinoexecutionoofotheocontract."o o

5.oo o Thatoafteropassingoofotheoaforesaidoorders,oSetoBopetitionerso haveo sinceo signedo theo agreemento ando submittedo securityo deposit/banko guarantee.oo

6.o o TheopetitionersoinoCWP-766-2025o(SetoA)oapproachedothiso Courtoprayingoforocancellationoofotheoawardoofocontracto(LetteroofoIntent)o andotheoagreementsoexecutedowithotheosuccessfulobiddersobeyondotheolasto dateostipulatedounderotheoDNIT.oo Contentionsoofolearnedocounseloforotheopartieso

7.o o LearnedocounseloforoSetoBopetitionersohaveosubmittedothato evenoafterosigningoofotheoagreementoandosubmissionoofosecurityodeposit,o theolocalotransporterso(includingothoseoofoSetoA)oareonotopermittingotheo petitionersotoooperateotheirotankolorriesoandoareoconstantlyothreateningo withograveoconsequences.oTheosameohasobeenobroughtotootheonoticeoofo BPCLoandocomplaintsohaveoalsoobeenomadeotootheopoliceobutonooactiono haso beeno takeno thereon.o Ito iso furthero submittedo thato theo tendero iso foro CWP-34275-2024oando766-2025o -17-o o o transportingohighlyoinflammableoproductsoviz.,oMS,oHSD,oBrandedofuels,o SKOoandoATF.ooTheothreatsobyotheolocalotransportersocannotobeotakeno lightly,o aso ino theo pasto theyo haveo snatchedo originalo documents/banko guaranteesoandoalsooturnedooutotankolorriesofromowithinotheodepot.oo

8.o o LearnedocounseloforoSetoAopetitionersohaveosubmittedothato theo termso ofo theo tendero haveo beeno violatedo ino aso mucho aso certaino agreementso haveo beeno enteredo intoo beyondo theo dateo stipulatedo ino theo DNIT.ooTheoextensionoofotime,oifoany,ohasobeenodoneowithoutoissuanceoofo anyoamendmentoorocorrigendum.oHence,oawardoofocontractoandoissuanceo ofoLetteroofoIntento(LOI)obasedoonosuchoagreementsoenteredointoobeyondo

08.12.2024o areo liableo too beo cancelled.o o Ito iso furthero submittedo thato demonstrationobyolocalotransportersowasopeacefuloandoasosuch,otheyohaveo disputedotheofactualoaspectopleadedobyoSetoAopetitioners.oo InferencesobyotheoCourto

9.o o Itoisosoughtotoobeoarguedothatodisputedoquestionsoofofactso ariseoinotheopresentomatter,owhichocannotobeoadequatelyogoneointooinowrito proceedings.ooHowever,operusaloofoadmittedodocumentsoplacedoonorecordo asowelloasotheostatusoreportofiledobyotheoAdditionaloDeputyoCommissionero (Rural),oBhatindao(aoresponsibleoseniorogovernmentofunctionary,owhoohaso noopersonalointerestoinotheolis)owouldoshowothatodemonstrationobyolocalo transportersodidoprecipitateotooaolawoandoorderosituationooutsideotheoBPCLo Depot,o whicho ledo theo localo administrationo takingo appropriateo stepso too controlo theo situation.o Theo relevanto portiono ofo theo statuso reporto datedo CWP-34275-2024oando766-2025o -18-o o o

21.12.2024,o extractedo hereinafter,o wouldo showo thato abouto 150-200o personso hado gatheredo ono 13.12.2024o ando thereo wereo reportso thato theo gatheringocouldoturnoviolent,owhichosituationowasotackledobyodeploymento ofoadequateopoliceoforce.oo

4.o Th?to ono 09.12.2024o theo deponento goto informationo thato protestorsohadogatheredooutsideotheogateooforespondentono.o2,osoo theodeponentoalong-withopoliceoforceoreachedotheospotoandoheldo meetingowithopetitioners,orespondentono.o2oandoprotestors.oTheo meetingoendedoonoaopositiveonoteoandotheoprotestorsodispersed.o However,o ono 13.12.2024o theo congregationo ato theo protesto siteo reachedonearlyo150otoo200oasopersonsorepresentingotwooopposingo factionso(oneofromooutsideosuccessfulotenderersoandoanotherofromo localosuccessfulotenderers)ogatheredoato theogatesoofoBPCLoi.e.o respondentono.o2.oThereowereoreportsothatotheogatheringocouldo turno violento ando theo localo administrationo immediatelyo tooko precautionaryo measureso ando deployedo adequateo policeo forceo preventingoanyountowardoincident.oTheodeponentowasopostedoato theositeoalongowithopoliceoforceoofotheoareaoandotheosituationowaso takenounderocontrol.o

5.o Thato withouto goingo intoo theo claimso ofo theo protestors,o administrationoisodutyoboundotoofacilitateotheopetitioners.oThereo willo nevero beo anyo kindo ofo discriminationo ono theo parto ofo administrationo againsto anyone.o Theo departmento iso ando willo alwayso beo readyo too co-operateo ando too provideo anyo kindo ofo administrativeohelpotootheopetitionersoinosigningotheoagreemento withoBPCL.oThatoaso perodiscussionoofotheo Deponento withotheo BPCLo Officials;o outo ofo 40o bidders,o 23o haveo alreadyo signedo agreementowithotheocompany.oOfotheo17oremainingobidders,otheyo haveo furnishedo banko guaranteeso buto noto signedo theo desiredo agreements.oTheo deponentoassuresoandoundertakesothatoasoando whenotheopetitionersoareorequiredotooexecuteotheoagreementsotheo CWP-34275-2024oando766-2025o -19-o o o deponento willo takeo allo theo necessaryo stepso too ensureo thato theo petitionersoareoproperlyofacilitated,owhileomaintainingolawoando order,otoocompleteotheonecessaryoformalities.o o

10.o o ThatoSetoAopetitioners,oseekingotheosameoreliefoasoprayedoforo inoCWP-766-2025,ohadorepresentedotootheoofficersoofoBPCLo(respondento No.2)o video lettero datedo 09.12.2024o (Annexureo P-3o witho theo saido writo petition).o Theo saido lettero waso respondedo byo BPCLo video replyo datedo

16.12.2024o (Annexureo P-4o witho CWP-766-2025)o wherebyo ito waso candidlyo statedo thato theo awardo ofo contracto (Lettero ofo Intent)o foro theo subjecto tendero waso issuedo too respectiveo bidderso tillo 13.11.2024.o Theo respectiveomaterialodatesofromotheorecordohaveobeenomentionedotherein.oo Aoperusaloofotheosaidoreplyowouldoshowothatokeepingoinoviewotheounresto ando hurdleso createdo byo localo transporters,o theo processo ofo issuanceo ofo awardo ofo contracto waso delayedo too 13.11.2024o ando aso such,o necessaryo compliancesoinoaccordanceowithotheosubjectoDNITowereowithinotime.oTheo relevantoportionoofotheoaforesaidoletteroisoextractedohereunder:o

1.oo Atotheooutsetoitoisopertinentotoonoteothatotheoselectionoprocesso inoTenderobearingoreferenceonumbero BPCL/RETAIL/POL/o BULK/2024o 2029/o BHATINDAo Eo Tendero ID:o 16053o haso alreadyo beeno comeo too ao logicalo conclusiono Thus,o anyo grievanceoatothisostageoisobelated.o

2.oo Contentsoofoparagrapho1oofoyouronoticeoareofactualoinonature.o TheosubjectotenderowasoanoalloIndiaoonlineoopenotenderowhicho waso publishedo ono 05.04.2024o ando tendero waso extendedo 2o timeso(1stoextensiono10.05.2024,o2ndoextensiono13.05.2024)o onorequestoofotransportersoonly.o CWP-34275-2024oando766-2025o -20-o o o

3.oo Contentsoofoparagrapho2oofoyouronoticeoareofactualoinonature.o

4.oo Contentso ofo paragrapho 3o ofo youro noticeo areo denied.o Theo subjectotenderowasoalloIndiaoonlineoopenotenderoandobidderso wereoparticipatingoinotheotenderofromodifferentopartsoofoIndia.o TheoAwardoofotheoContracto(LetteroofoIntent)oforotheosaido tendero video referenceo BPCL/RETAIL/POL/BULK/o BHATINDA/2024-29/owasoissuedotoorespectiveobiddersotillo

13.11.2024.o Weo receivedo representationo fromo selectedo biddersoofootherostateso(statesootherothanoPunjabothatotheyo wereounableotooreceiveotheohardocopyoofoLOIofromodepotodueo tooresistanceomadeobyoBhatindaotransportoassociationooutsideo theoDepotoGate.oDueotoothisodifficulty,oLOIowasoissuedotoo variousobiddersoinoemailoono13.11.2024.oTheosaidocontractoiso validofromo23.11.2024otoo22.11.2029.o o AsoperoNITounderoClauseo7.2oitohasobeenoclearlyoprovidedo thatoBankoGuaranteeoatotheorateoofoRs.o8.00,000/-oforogeneralo bidderso ando Rs.o 50,000/-o foro SC/STo bidderso shallo beo depositedowithino15odaysoofotheoissuanceoofotheoLOI/Worko Order.oSinceotheolastodateoofoLOIoissuedotooselectedobiddero waso 13.11.2024o ando banko guaranteeo submissiono haso beeno doneowithinotheoperiodoofo15odaysoi.e.o28.11.2024.oAsolasto dateo ofo Banko Guaranteeo submissiono waso 28.11.2024,o locationohasoreceivedobankoguaranteesofromoselectedobidderso withinotheostipulatedotimeoi.e.otillo28.11.2024.oInoNIT,othereo iso noo provisiono oro clauseo foro non-acceptingo ofo Banko Guaranteeoaftero15odaysoororejectionocriteriaoforotheosameoforo anyoBidder.o

5.oo Contentso ofo paragrapho 4o ofo youro noticeo areo denied.o Ito iso reiteratedothatoallooriginalobankoguaranteesoareoreceivedoato theo locationo ino stipulatedo timeo ando submittedo too ouro centralisedoofficeoinoMumbaioforofurtheronecessaryoactionoono it.o CWP-34275-2024oando766-2025o -21-o o o

6.oo Contentsoofoparagrapho5oofoyouronoticeoareodenied.oCompanyo isofollowingotheoguideolinesoofoNITopertainingotoobookingo slipsosubmittedobyotheoSC/SToselectedobidders.o

7.oo Contentso ofo paragrapho 6o ofo youro noticeo areo denied.o Theo AwardoofotheoContracto(LetteroofoIntent)oforotheosaidotendero wasoissuedotoorespectiveobiddersotillo13.11.2024oandoasopero thisotheolastodateoofosigningoofoAgreementoiso13.12.2024.o

8.oo Contentsoofoparagrapho7oofoyouronoticeoareodenied.oPleaseo noteothatoBPCLoisoadheringotooallotheotermsoandoconditionsoofo NIT.o o

11.o o Ito iso triteo lawo thato theo trueo importo ofo theo clauseso ofo theo subjectoTenderoshouldobeoleftotootheoAuthoritiesoissuingotheotenderoando Courtsoshouldobeoslowoinoimposingoitsodecisionooverotheointerpretationoofo theosaidoemployer.oThisoisoparticularlyoofoparamountoconsiderationowheno theocontractoisoalreadyounderway.oReferenceocanobeoplacedoonotheoverdicto ofo theo Apexo Courto titledo aso Tatao Motorso Limitedo vs.o Theo Brihano MumbaioElectricoSupplyo&oTransportoUndertakingo(BEST)oandoothers,o reportedo ino 2023(8)o Scaleo 873,o theo relevanto paragrapho whereofo iso extractedohereunder:o

52.oo Ordinarily,o ao writo courto shouldo refraino itselfo fromo imposingoitsodecisionooverotheodecisionoofotheoemployeroasotoo whetherooronototooacceptotheobidoofoaotendererounlessosomethingo veryogrossooropalpableoisopointedoout.oTheocourtoordinarilyoshouldo notointerfereoinomattersorelatingotootenderoorocontract.oToosetoato naughtotheoentireotenderoprocessoatotheostageowhenotheocontractoiso wellounderway,owouldonotobeoinopublicointerest.oInitiatingoaofresho tenderoprocessoatothisostageomayoconsumeolotoofotimeoandoalsoo lossotootheopublicoexchequerotootheotuneoofocroresooforupees.oTheo CWP-34275-2024oando766-2025o -22-o o o financialoburden/implicationsoonotheopublicoexchequerothatotheo StateomayohaveotoomeetowithoifotheoCourtodirectsoissueoofoaofresho tenderonotice,oshouldobeooneoofotheoguidingofactorsothatotheoCourto shouldokeepoinomind.oThisoisoevidentofromoaothree-JudgeoBencho decisionoofothisoCourtoinoAssociationoofoRegistrationoPlatesov.o UnionoofoIndiaoandoOthers,oreportedoino(2005)o1oSCCo679.o o

12.o o Moreover,oclauseo52.0oofotheoDNIT,oextractedohereunderoato theocostooforepetition,odoesoclotheoBPLCowithotheopowerotoomodifyotheo tender,oinotermsoofotheosaidocovenant.ooTheoscopeoofointerferenceoinosucho likeotenderomattersoofopublicoimportanceoisoratheroself-restricted.ooNothingo hasobeenobroughtotooouronoticeotoodemonstrateothatoanyofundamentalorighto hasobeenoviolatedoorotheoprocedureofollowedosuffersofromotheoviceoofo arbitrariness.o Ono theo contrary,o keepingo ino viewo theo circumstanceso mentionedoinotheostatusoreport,oscalesoofoequityoandojusticeohaveobeeno balancedo ino theo largero interesto ofo publico good.o o Theo productso too beo transportedoareoessentialocommoditiesoandosupplyotoovariousolocationso fromotheodepotocannotobeoheldoatoransomoofoprotestsobyosomeodisgruntledo localotransporters.o

52.0oo AcceptanceoofoTLso/oTendero o BharatoPetroleumoCorporationoLtd.oreservesotheorightotoo acceptoororejectoanyooroallotheotendersoinopartooroinototality,o oro too negotiateo witho anyo oro allo theo tenderers,o oro too withdrawo/ocancelo/omodifyothisotenderoorotooacceptosomeo oro allo ofo theo tank-lorrieso offeredo withouto assigningo anyo reasonowhatsoeveroandotheodecisionoshallobeobindingoono theoBidder.oo CWP-34275-2024oando766-2025o -23-o o o

13.o o Anotheroaspectoofotheomatterothatodeservesodueoconsiderationo isotheolocationowhereotheoprotestowasobeingostaged,oi.e.,oatotheogateoofotheo oilo depoto whereo stocks,o ino hugeo quantities,o ofo highlyo inflammableo materialoareostored.ooInocaseoofoanyountowardoincidentolikeorioting,oarsono etcetera,oinvolvingoaotankolorryooperatedobyoanyooutoofoStateosuccessfulo bidderoorootherwise,otheolivesoandopropertyoofomanyoinotheovicinityoofotheo saidoBPCLoDepotowouldobeoendangeredobesidesocausingocolossalonationalo loss.oHence,oitoisoaofitocaseowhereinoaomandamusodeservesotoobeoissuedotoo theo districto administrationo ando policeo authoritieso too provideo adequateo protectionotootankolorries,oparticularlyothoseowithinotheoBPCLoDepotooroino theoprocessoofoingressooroegress,owhetheroloadedooroempty.ooNoopersonalo causeocanobeoplacedoaboveopublicoandonationalointerest.oLearnedoStateo counselo doeso noto disputeo thato ito iso theo boundeno dutyo ofo theo Stateo too maintainolawoandoorderoandotooensureothatoruleoofolawoisonotobreachedobyo anyooneoandoviolatorsoareoaccountableotootheolawsopubliclyopromulgatedo andoequallyoenforced.o FinaloorderoofothisoCourto

14.o o Ino aftermath,o thiso Courto iso constrainedo too partiallyo allowo CWP-34275-2024oandoaccordingly,oaomandamusoisoissuedotootheoDeputyo Commissioner,oBhatindaoandotheoSuperintendentoofoPolice,oBhatindaotoo ensureothatoruleoofolawoisonotobreachedoandotooprovideoadequateosecurityo ando protection,o aso mayo beo assessedo byo themo keepingo ino viewo theo situationalo threato perception,o too theo propertyo ofo Bharato Petroleumo CWP-34275-2024oando766-2025o -24-o o o CorporationoLimited,oBhatindaoDepotoandotootheotankolorriesoengagedoforo carryingopetroleumoproductsoforotheosaidodepot.o

15.o o Inoviewoofotheoaboveodiscussion,oweofindonoomeritoinotheo connectedowritopetitionoandoCWP-766-2025oisoaccordinglyodismissed.oIto is,ohowever,omadeoclearothatotheocontractingopartiesowouldobeoatolibertyotoo availoofotheirorespectiveoremediesounderotheosubjectoDNIT,oinocaseoofo allegedobreachoofoanyocovenantothereof.o

16.o o Nooorderoasotoocosts.o

17.o o Pendingoapplication(s),oifoany,oalsoostandodisposedoof.o o o o o o oooooooooo(SURESHWARoTHAKUR)o oooooooo(VIKASoSURI)o oooooooooooooooooooooooooooJUDGEo ooooooooooooJUDGEo o o o Aprilo22,o2025o sumit.ko o o o o Whetherospeaking/reasonedo:o Yeso/oNoo o o WhetheroReportableo:o o Yeso/oNoo o