JUDGMENT

Dated this the 1st day of December 2020 These writ petitions are filed by George Uthup, a contractor, who was once engaged by Vandanmedu Grama Panchayat.

2. WP(C) No.18721/2020 was filed challenging the decision of the Grama Panchayat, blacklisting George Uthup as a contractor.

This Court, on 14.09.2020, passed the following order:-

“Admit.

Government Pleader takes notice for the first respondent Issue notice to the second respondent by speed post.

If Ext.P1 order is one issued without affording the petitioner an opportunity of hearing, the same will stand stayed. It is, however, made clear that this order will not preclude the competent authority from blacklisting the petitioner, if he is liable to be blacklisted, after affording him an opportunity of hearing.”

2. Thereafter, the Panchayat issued a notice to George Uthup on 29.09.2020 to hear him on the matter. That was challenged in WP(C) No.20728/2020. This Court, ordered to defer the proceedings for a period of one month. In the meanwhile, George Uthup participated in a tender. That was rejected stating that he has already been blacklisted. That is under challenge in WP(C) No.20637/2020.

3. As seen from the counter affidavit,