JUDGMENT :

1. With the consent of learned counsel for the parties, the present petition was taken up for final disposal.

2. Heard. Admit.

3. The present writ petition has been filed by the petitioner for directing the respondents to release the bill amounting to Rs. 40.71 lacs in favour of petitioner on account of execution of construction of two fountains at Hyderpora Crossing, Srinagar. It is the case of the petitioner, the sum due to the petitioner is an admitted liability and the respondents have no reasonable ground or any valid justification to withhold the same and withholding the same amounts to arbitrary exercise of power by the respondents.

SUBMISSIONS ON BEHALF OF PETITIONER

4. The brief case of the petitioner is that he is a Government approved fountain contractor of the respondent corporation, and in the year, 2017 on the direction of Respondent No. 2 who had in turn been directed by the then Chief Minister of the State for beautification of the IG road, the petitioner was allotted the work of construction of two fountains at Hyderpora Crossing, vide Order dated 21.10.2017. A formal approval of the work was granted by Respondent No. 1, vide order dated 12.10.2017. Soon aft