JUDGMENT :

SANJAY KUMAR MEDHI, J.

1. The issue of maintaining transparency and fairness in matters of distribution of State largesse has once again been raised by means of the present writ petition. While the petitioner alleges that there has been gross violation of the established principles of law pertaining to distribution of State largesse, the version of the respondents is that no infirmity or illegality has been committed in the connected tender process and therefore there is no requirement of any interference by this Court in exercise of its powers of judicial review.

2. Before going to the issue which is required to be adjudicated, it would be convenient if the facts of the case are narrated in brief.

3. A Notice Inviting Tender dated 05.05.2021 was issued by the Forest Department for settlement of seven numbers of mineral concession areas for extraction of sand and ordinary clay. The area in serial no. 6 of the said notice namely, Khamtighat is connected with the present petition.

4. The petitioners contend that the petitioner No. 1 had participated in the said tender process and submitted its bid along with four numbers of other bidders. It is further stated that certain compl