JUDGMENT

The petitioner is aggrieved by the non-release of the performance guarantee furnished by the petitioner at the time of execution of Exts.P1 and P2 contracts. The petitioner is an ex-service man and is the proprietor of M/s. Omkar Security Agency, Karunagappally, which is engaged in the supply of manpower to various Central and State Government organizations and undertakings.

2. The petitioner entered into contracts with the 3^rd respondent as evidenced by Exts.P1 and P2 for providing the services of data entry operators. As per Ext.P1, three persons were supplied and as per Ext.P2, thirty three persons were supplied by the petitioner. The tenure of the agreements was from 01.01.2021 to 31.12.2021. As per the terms and conditions of the agreements, the petitioner furnished Exts.P3 to P5 performance guarantee by way of bank guarantee issued by the 4^th respondent Bank. The term of the contract was from 01.01.2021 to 31.12.2021. According to the petitioner, he fulfilled all the obligations under the contract during his tenure. However, even after the expiry of the term of contract, the performance guarantee was not released by the respondents.

3. When the petitioner sought the r