JUDGMENT :

R.F. NARIMAN, J.

Leave granted. Delay condoned in SLP (C) Diary No. 18079 of 2020.

2. The substantial question of law which arises in these appeals is as to whether the judgment of a Division Bench of this Court in N.V. International v. State of Assam, (2020) 2 SCC 109 ["N.V. International"] lays down the law correctly. This Court followed its earlier judgment in Union of India v. Varindera Constructions Ltd., (2020) 2 SCC 111 ["Varindera Constructions"] and held as follows:

"3. Having heard the learned counsel for both sides, we may observe that the matter is no longer res integra. In Union of India v. Varindera Constructions Ltd. [Union of India v. Varindera Constructions Ltd., (2020) 2 SCC 111] , this Court, by its judgment and order dated 17-9-2018 [Union of India v. Varindera Constructions Ltd., (2020) 2 SCC 111] held thus: (SCC p. 112, paras 1-5)

"1. Heard the learned counsel appearing for the parties.

2. By a judgment dated 19-4-2018 in Union of India v. Varindera Constructions Ltd. [Union of India v. Varindera Constructions Ltd., (2018) 7 SCC 794], this Court has