JUDGMENT

1. The present writ application has been filed for quashing the letter no. 1894, dated 02.07.2021, issued by the Engineer-in-chief, Rural Works Department, Government of Bihar (Annexure 3), by which the petitioner has been debarred from participating in future contract/tender, for the reason of non-completion of the contract of construction of road, awarded to the petitioner, within time.

2. The fact involved in the present case is that the petitioner is a Class-I contractor, registered under the provisions of the Bihar Contractor Registration Rules, 2007 and was awarded various contract works by the respondent-Rural Works Department, for construction of road and according to the petitioner, it proceeded to complete the work as per the agreement, but due to intervening COVID-19 pandemic, which led to lockdown and imposition of various restrictions by the Government, the petitioner faced difficulties in timely completing the work. Further contention of the petitioner is that while the work was being executed, despite delay due to the lockdown and COVID-19 pandemic, yet prior to completion date, the respondent-Executive Engineer, Rural Works Department, Work Division, Gopalgan