JUDGMENT :

B.R. SARANGI, J.

The petitioner, by means of this writ petition, seeks to quash the letter no.719 dated 09.03.2021 under Annexure-9 issued by the Tahasildar, Bonai-opposite party no.3 cancelling the bid process of Baliatota Sand Bed under Tahasildar, Bonai in the district of Sundargarh, and to issue direction to opposite party no.3 to forward the documents under Annexure-10, along with the relevant documents and certificates mentioned at serial nos.6, 7 and 8 of the list for environmental clearance, for execution of the lease deed in his favour.

2. The factual matrix of the case, in brief, is that in order to lease out for a period of five years from 2019-20 to 2023-24, Baliatota Sand Bed, in river Brahmani, was put to auction. The petitioner submitted his application in Form-M in triplicate for the said sand quarry in sealed cover offering his bid. He paid the application fee of Rs.1,000/-, earnest money and other dues for making the application. The application of the petitioner was found complete in all respect and was taken into consideration by the competent authority. As the petitioner was found to be the highest bidder, the Tahasildar, Bonai, vide letter no.106 dated