JUDGMENT :

1. This writ petition under Article 226 of the Constitution of India has been preferred claiming the following reliefs:

“It is therefore, most humbly and respectfully prayed that this petition for writ in the nature of Mandamus may kindly be allowed and by an appropriate writ/order or directions:-

i) the order dated 13.10.2022 (Annex.-7) may kindly be quashed and set aside.

ii) The respondents may kindly be directed to award the work contract and execute the agreement with the petitioner firm for the project works.

iii) The respondent authorities may kindly be restrained from awarding the work order and execution of agreement in favor of any other tenderer.

iv) That if during pendency of writ petition, the work order is issued and agreement is executed in favor of other tenderer, the same may be called upon and be quashed and set aside.

v) Costs of the writ petition may kindly be awarded to the petitioner firm.”

2. Brief facts of the case, as placed before this Court by learned counsel for the petitioners, are that respondent-RIICO invited online unconditional bids on 14.09.2022 through e-procurement portal for the works, namely, (i) Survey, Outer Boundary Demarcation, Plot Dem