Tenders during elections cannot be finalized without ECI approval per guidelines.

2. This writ petition, styled as public interest litigation, filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India challenges the tender- cum-auction notification dated 14.3.2026 issued by the fourth respondent with a further direction to respondents 2 to 5 to defer all further action in respect of the properties of the third respondent till the formation of new Government in the State of Tamil Nadu.

3. Learned counsel for the petitioner assails the impugned notification mainly on the ground that in view of the ensuing assembly election in the State of Tamil Nadu, the tender cannot be finalized in the light of the guidelines issued by the Election Commission of India, particularly, Clause 17, which provides that tenders other than global tenders, that are already floated may be evaluated, but not finalized without prior approval of the Commission. If they are not already floated, they shall not be floated without prior approval of the Commission. He would submit that, in this particular case, the authorities have not complied with Clause 17 and have not sought permission and the tender is likely to be opened on 29.04.2026.

4. Learned Additional Advocates-General appearing for respondents 2 and 5 and respondents 3 and 4, respectively, submit that the tender will not be finalized without seeking approval of the Election Commission of India.

5. In view of the said submission made by learned Additional Advocates-General, nothing survives for adjudication in this writ petition. Accordingly, the writ petition is disposed of. There shall be no order as to costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petitions are closed.