##PAGE1##

WP No. 2162 of 2026

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 30-03-2026

CORAM

THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE M.DHANDAPANI

W.P No. 2162 of 2026 and W.M.P.Nos.2343, 2345 and 2346 of 2026

E. Govindharajan S/o.Ethirajulu,

Proprietor of M/s.Associated Marketing Office at F1, 4-24

Ragav Apartments, 1st floor, Raghavaiah Road, T.Nagar,

Chennai-600 017 ..Petitioner(s)

Vs

1. The State of Tamilnadu Rep by its Secretary,

BC.,MBC and Minorities welfare Department Secretariat,

Chennai-600 009

2. The Commissioner Backward classes welfare Department

Chennai-600 005

3. The Tender Inviting Authority Backward Classes welfare Department

Chennai-600 005

..Respondent(s)

__________

Page1 of 7

https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis ( Uploaded on: 27/04/2026 01:00:33 pm )

WP No. 2162 of 2026

PRAYER: The Writ Petition is filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for the issuance of a Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus calling for records of the impugned order sent through e-mail dated 08.01.2026 on the file of the 2^nd and 3rd respondent rejecting the bid of the petitioner in Tender No.BC/06/2025-26 for supplying Welcome Kits to Social Justice Hostels for the year 2025-2026 and to quash the same and consequently direct the 1^st and 2^nd respondents to permit the petitioner to call for a fresh tender for supplying

Welcome Kits to Social Justice Hostels for the year 2025-2026.

For Petitioner(s): Mr. R.Prasanna Vineeth Durai

For Respondent(s): Mr. J. Ravindran Additional Advocate General

Assisted by Mr. D. Gopal, Government Advocate

ORDER

The present Writ Petition has been filed seeking the issuance of a Writ of

Certiorarified Mandamus calling for records of the impugned order communication through e-mail dated 08.01.2026 on the file of the 2^nd and 3^rd respondent rejecting the bid of the petitioner in Tender No.BC/06/2025-26 for supplying Welcome Kits to Social Justice Hostels for the year 2025-2026 and to quash the same and consequently direct the 1^st and 2^nd respondents to permit the petitioner to call for a fresh tender for supplying Welcome Kits to Social Justice

Hostels for the year 2025-2026.

__________

Page2 of 7

https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis ( Uploaded on: 27/04/2026 01:00:33 pm )

WP No. 2162 of 2026

2. The learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner,

being a Proprietor engaged in the business of supply of goods to various Government Departments, has been regularly participating in public tenders in compliance with applicable laws and prescribed procedures. While so, the first respondent issued a Notification vide G.O.(Ms).No.70, BC, MBC & Minorities Welfare Department, dated 31.07.2025 calling for issuance of Welcome Kits to students joining the Social Justice Hostels for the year of 2025-2026. Pursuant

thereto, the 1^st and 2^nd respondents floated the tender.

3. The petitioner, under their trade name “Associated Marketing”,

participated in the tender floated by the 2^nd respondent vide Tender No.BC/06/2025-56 and submitted the Technical-cum-Commercial Bid and Price Bid on 27.12.2025 through the prescribed mode in accordance with the terms and conditions. As per the tender schedule, the samples were directed to be submitted on or before 28.12.2025. Since the said date fell on a Sunday, the petitioner submitted the samples on the next working day, i.e. 29.12.2025

(Monday), in accordance with established governmental practices.

__________

Page3 of 7

https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis ( Uploaded on: 27/04/2026 01:00:33 pm )

WP No. 2162 of 2026

4. However, the petitioner’s bid was rejected at the Technical Evaluation

Stage citing Clause XIV of the Tender Document, on the ground that the samples were not submitted within the stipulated time, i.e. on or before 28.12.2025. Aggrieved by the said rejection, the present Writ Petition has been

filed.

5. The learned counsel for the petitioner contended that the rejection is

arbitrary and unreasonable, as the last date for submission of samples fess on a non-working day, and submission on the next