This group of writ petitions which are brought under Art.226 of the Constitution relate to certain goods handling contracts given by the Western Railway Administration in respect of the Sabarmati BG-MG Group 63, Bharatpur BG-MG Group 37 and the Hapa Transhipment Point. The petitioners of these petitions claim to have experience and expertise in carrying out goods handling work for the Railway Administration. Their grievance is that as the contracts in respect of the aforesaid three transhipment points were given or extended without inviting open tenders, they were prevented from competing which they were entitled to as citizens of India and, therefore, the Railway Administration had acted in violation of their constitutional rights. They, therefore, pray that the contracts executed in respect of the aforesaid transhipment points should be quashed and the railway administration should be directed to grant fresh contracts in accordance with the normal open tender system.

2. The contract in respect of the Sabarmati transhipment point is given to M/s. Universal Goods Handling Company. The contract in respect of the Bharatpur Transhipment point is executed in favour of M/s. Chir