IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE FOR THE STATE OF TELANGANA HON’BLE SRI JUSTICE NAGESH BHEEMAPAKA WRIT PETITION No. 32541 OF 2025

24.02.2026 Between:

ARGOU TECHNOLOGIES PRIVATE LIMITED, Rep. by its Director Manne Swathi ….. Petitioner And Divisional Railway Manager, Secunderabad Division & others ….. Respondents

O R D E R:

The case of petitioner, as pleaded, is that pursuant to the e-Auction dated 26.07.2025 issued by the 3rd respondent for provision, operation and management of three battery- operated cars at Secunderabad Railway Station, petitioner participated and was declared successful. Consequent thereto, on line Contract Agreement was entered into on 31.07.2025 for a period of five years commencing from 25.08.2025 and ending on 24.08.2030 with an annual licence fee of Rs.33,00,111/- and a total contract value of Rs.1,94,70,654.90. It is further pleaded that the Earnest Money Deposit was paid on 26.07.2025 vide Bank Transaction ID LM91864757 with IREPS Reference ID- 3109751 and that after commencement of the contract, petitioner appointed two supervisors and seven drivers for operation of the battery-operated cars.

1.1. It is stated, petitioner admitted that on 19.09.2025 an incident occurred at Platform No.10 when the operator Mr. Anand, after dropping passengers, halted the vehicle for collecting cash and the battery-operated car rolled back and fell onto the track. Petitioner pleaded that apprehending danger in the event of arrival of a train, the operator, with the help of persons present on the platform, repositioned the vehicle and drove it along the track to the end of the platform and thereafter, through a ramp to Platforms 6 and 7. An enquiry was conducted on 19.09.2025 by the 4^th Respondent, during which the operator explained the circumstances, admitted that railway officials were not informed, assured that the incident would not recur, and agreed to be permanently removed from service. Petitioner’s supervisor requested that the incident be treated as a last warning stating that it was a first instance and that the petitioner was new to the contract.

1.2. Petitioner states that thereafter, the 4th Respondent issued a temporary suspension order dated 19.09.2025 citing the safety incident and anticipated heavy passenger rush during Dussehra, Deepavali and Chhath festivals, suspending all BOC operations from 20.09.2025 to 28.10.2025. Representations dated 23.09.2025 and 06.10.2025 were submitted seeking revocation of suspension, expressing unconditional apology, stating that the incident was accidental, and assuring implementation of corrective measures including driver training and strict monitoring, but the same were not considered. However, without considering the representations, the 3^rd Respondent issued Termination Order dated 16.10.2025 alleging violation of Clause 18.1 of the Standard Conditions of Contract, forfeiting the full security deposit of Rs.3,30,011/-

and directing immediate removal of all BOCs and equipment.

1.3. Petitioner states that no passenger sustained any injury in the incident and that the operator acted only to prevent any untoward occurrence. The contract had commenced only 23 days prior to the incident and was valid for a period of five years till 2030, and that a request was made during enquiry to treat the incident as a last warning. According to petitioner, termination caused severe financial hardship as loans were taken to start the business, vehicles were insured, salaries are being paid to drivers and supervisors despite stoppage of work, and the petitioner’s family is entirely dependent on the said business.

2. In the counter filed on behalf of Respondents, it is stated, the contract for operation and maintenance of three battery-operated cars at Secunderabad Railway Station was awarded to petitioner for a period of five years from 25.08.2025 to 24.08.2030 at an annual license fee of Rs.33,00,111/-, vide Agreement No. MSS-SC-SC-BCA-26-23-1 dated 31.07.2025. Pursuant to the award of