JUDGMENT :

1. This writ petition is filed by the petitioner, a company incorporated under the Companies Act, 1956, engaged in the business of operating duty free shops at various Airports, seeking to quash the letter of award issued by the 1st respondent, i.e., the Kannur International Airport Limited, to the 3rd respondent, i.e., GMR Airports, who is also a business operator of duty free shops at various Airports. The 2nd respondent is the consultant of the 1st respondent. Basic material facts for the disposal of the writ petition are as follows:

2. Respondent No.1, i.e., Kannur International Airport Limited (KIAL), a Public Sector Undertaking operating the Kannur International Airport commissioned on 09.12.2018, and built on Public Private Partnership model, has apparently appointed the 2nd respondent as the consultant for negotiations and allied activities for the improvement of the Kannur International Airport. Kannur International Airport Limited is functioning under the control of the Government of Kerala with the Chief Minister of the State of Kerala as its Chairman and Mi