JUDGMENT :

The extra ordinary jurisdiction conferred by Article 226 of the Constitution of India is sought to be invoked by filing this writ petition pertaining to the settlement of a fishery namely, 1/77 Didgdar Brahmaputra Fishery (the Fishery). The petitioner which is a Cooperative Society, apart from challenging the settlement of the Fishery to the respondent No. 8, the 4th higher bidder also claims settlement of the Fishery in question in its favour.

2. The brief facts of the case can be narrated as follows:

3. The petitioner is a registered cooperative society in the district of Bongaigaon with registration No. D-101/1958-59 dated 09.02.1959 consisting of 100% Fisherman belong to the Scheduled Caste. The area of operation of the petitioner society, amongst others, are Malegarh, Gobindapur, Jitikibari, Goalpara Baluchar, all under the earlier Goalpara Sub-Division which are presently under the Bongaigaon district. The petitioner society claims to have adequate fishing experience.

4. Pursuant to a notice inviting tender dated 24.05.2018 for settlement of the Fishery in question for 7(seven) years, the petitioner society which was eligible in all respects had submitted his bid. Amon