Rejection of Technical Bids – Compliance with Statutory Provisions – Petitioners’ technical bids were rejected for failing to comply with statutory requirements under EPF/ESI/Contract Labour Act – Petitioners showed independent business proprietors as employees, with EPF remitted in their names – Claimed savings on EPF for actual workmen – Held, rejection justified due to non-compliance with EPF Act, lack of records for actual workmen, and misleading information in bid documents – Writ Petitions dismissed [Paras 1-46].

Violation of EPF Act – Misrepresentation in Bids – Petitioners failed to provide accurate employment records and attendance registers – Independent business proprietors shown as labourers, contrary to tender requirements – Misrepresentation led to EPF being remitted for family members – Petitioners did not adequately justify non-compliance or produce necessary documentation – Rejection of technical bids upheld [Paras 9, 39-40].

Contractual Compliance – Judicial Review Scope –Court emphasized limited scope of judicial review in tender matters – Administrative decisions can be interfered with only if found to be arbitrary, irrational, or mala fide – In this case, FCI’s decision was found to be reasonable and in compliance with statutory requirements – Petitioners’ claims of arbitrariness and violation of natural justice principles were rejected [Paras 30-35, 43].

Decision:- Writ petitions dismissed – FCI's rejection of technical bids upheld as legally justified and compliant with public interest considerations under exceptional circumstances caused by alleged misrepresentation and non-compliance with statutory provisions [Para 46].

Land Acquisition – Lapse of Acquisition Proceedings – Section 24(2) of the 2013 Act – Petitioners sought quashing of acquisition proceedings initiated under the Land Acquisition Act, 1894, asserting that the acquisition had lapsed due to non-payment of compensation and non-taking of possession as per Section 24(2) of the 2013 Act – Held, as per the Supreme Court's decision in Indore Development Authority v. Manoharlal, the word 'or' in Section 24(2) must be read as 'nor', meaning acquisition would lapse only if both compensation was not paid and possession was not taken – Since possession of 77.55% of the land had been taken and compensation was paid, the acquisition did not lapse – Petition dismissed [Paras 1-9].

Land Acquisition – Compliance with Statutory Provisions – Judicial Review – Court found that the majority of the compensation (77.55%) was paid and possession was taken as per the rapatroznamcha dated 13.08.2002 – Representation by petitioners was considered and rejected by the Zonal Committee after noting the impact on the development plan, including an 18-meter wide road – Judicial intervention not warranted as statutory provisions were complied with [Paras 8-10].

Decision: Petition dismissed – Notifications dated 12.06.2000 and 11.06.2001 under Sections 4 and 6 of the 1894 Act upheld – No interference warranted with the Zonal Committee's order rejecting the release of the land – Interim order vacated [Para 11].

Reservation in Education – Admission Criteria – Weightage for NET Qualification – Petitioner challenged the selection process for Ph.D. admission at Kurukshetra University, asserting that an OBC candidate with higher marks should be considered in the Haryana Open General Category (HOGC) quota – Held, a reserved category candidate who avails relaxation (like weightage for NET under OBC criteria) cannot be considered to have qualified on their own merit for general category vacancies – Petition dismissed [Paras 1-11].

Legal Principles – Reserved Category Candidates in General Quota – Supreme Court precedents establish that reserved category candidates benefiting from relaxations cannot claim seats in the general category – Such candidates are considered against reserved quotas only – University's decision to categorize OBC candidate with weightage marks in OBC quota upheld as consistent with legal norms [Paras 8-10].

Decision: Petition dismissed – University’s categorization of OBC candidate under the OBC quota upheld – Reserved category candidates using relaxations cannot claim general category seats [Para 11].

Constitutional Law – Principles of Natural Justice – Opportunity of Hearing – Petitioner was declared ineligible for the allotment of a petrol pump due to the presence of an unauthorized median cut near the proposed site – Held, the petitioner was not responsible for the median cut and should have been given an opportunity to get it removed – The evaluation committee was expected to verify facts from NHAI and provide an opportunity to the petitioner – Cancellation of LOI without hearing the petitioner was in violation of natural justice – Petition allowed, communication declaring ineligibility quashed [Paras 1-20].

Writ Jurisdiction – Availability of Alternative Remedy – Exceptions – Court's self-imposed rule to avoid entertaining writ petitions if an effective alternative remedy is available – Exceptions include statutory authority not acting in accordance with the law, defiance of judicial procedures, or violation of natural justice – In the present case, the grievance redressal forum is not statutory and principles of natural justice were violated – Hence, the writ petition is maintainable despite availability of alternative remedy [Paras 21-22].

Decision: Petition allowed – Communication dated 17.08.2019 declaring the petitioner ineligible quashed – Respondent Corporation directed to proceed in accordance with the law [Paras 23-26].

Cooperative Societies – Election – Eligibility of Candidates – Petitioner's nomination papers for Cooperative Society election rejected for not being an 'active member' in the last twelve months as required under Rule 27(f) of the Haryana Cooperative Societies Rules – Petitioner claimed participation based on affidavits from other members but provided no documentary proof – Court held that affidavits did not specify recent participation and could not substantiate the petitioner's claim – Bye-laws of the Society do not override the eligibility conditions in the State Rules – Proper enquiry conducted by Returning Officer based on Manager’s report [Paras 1-7].

Judicial Review – Enquiry by Returning Officer – Role of Manager's Report – Returning Officer’s enquiry deemed sufficient as per Clauses 6 and 7 of Appendix-A – Reliance on the Manager’s report about non-participation valid – Manager considered best person to verify member participation – No court-like enquiry required for nomination considerations – Petitioner's failure to substantiate participation in society activities led to rightful rejection of his nomination [Paras 6-9].

Decision: Petition dismissed – Returning Officer's rejection of nomination upheld – Petitioner failed to provide valid documentation of participation in society activities for eligibility – Court found no merit in petitioner's arguments and upheld the Returning Officer's decision [Para 11].

Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007 – Section 22 – Eviction of Children and Relatives – Petitioner, a widowed daughter-in-law, directed to vacate her father-in-law’s self-acquired house – Court upheld the Tribunal’s order, emphasizing that a senior citizen cannot be compelled to allow any relative to stay in their self-acquired property against their wishes – Petitioner to receive an initial amount of Rs. 2 lakhs for alternate accommodation and further Rs. 25 lakhs within a month from vacating the house, along with a monthly sum of Rs. 25,000/- for six years [Paras 1-19, 53, 65-68].

Family Dispute – Right to Residence – The Court noted that respondent No. 2, the 82-year-old father-in-law, had allowed the petitioner to stay in his house since the death of her husband in 2003, but found her behavior intolerable – Court emphasized the need for an amicable settlement to mitigate family disputes – Petitioner’s claim to stay in the house without the father's consent was dismissed, as the house was self-acquired by the father-in-law [Paras 62-64].

Judicial Review – Scope and Power – Court exercised judicial superintendence under Article 226 – Tribunal’s jurisdiction affirmed to order eviction to protect senior citizens’ rights and property – Eviction order based on senior citizen's right to live with security and dignity in their own property [Paras 40, 43-45].

Decision – Writ Petition Partly Allowed – Held – Impugned order upheld with modifications – Respondent No. 2 to provide financial support for petitioner’s relocation and living expenses – Directions given for mutual cooperation to resolve the family dispute amicably [Paras 68-69].

Civil Procedure – Deposit of Lease Money – Striking Off Defense – Petitioner was directed to deposit lease money and his defense was struck off upon non-payment – Application under Order XV Rule 5 CPC filed by respondents was allowed by Civil Court – Held, plaintiffs had no locus standi due to lack of lessor-lessee relationship – They cannot benefit from Order XV Rule 5 CPC – Orders striking off defense set aside [Paras 1-19].

Judicial Examination – Relationship of Lessor-Lessee – Mandatory Provisions – Court emphasized that without an established lessor-lessee relationship, mandatory provisions for deposit do not apply – Civil Court failed to consider locus standi and admitted relationship issues – Proper judicial procedure requires acknowledging disputes regarding relationships and agreements before enforcing payment directives [Paras 16-18].

Decision: Impugned orders dated 18.10.2019 and 18.12.2019 (Annexures P-1 and P-2) set aside – Petitioner directed to deposit Rs. 4,17,414/- with the Court within one month – Amount to be kept in fixed deposit until trial conclusion – Civil Court directed to decide the suit within six months and grant reasonable opportunity for evidence – Non-compliance to reactivate impugned orders [Para 19].

Admission to Professional Courses – Scrapping of Entrance Test – COVID-19 Pandemic –Petitioner challenged the scrapping of entrance exams for law courses, arguing that the decision violated the terms of the prospectus and compromised merit-based admissions – Held, first choice should be to hold entrance test for law courses as preferred by the University and recommended by the Supreme Court in Chander Chinar Baba Akhara Udasin Society case – Relevant clauses of the prospectus allowed modifications depending on circumstances, thereby authorizing the University’s decision – Scrapping entrance test was not without authority of law – Decision taken considering lack of infrastructure, financial constraints, social distancing norms, and ensuring fairness in online exams – Petition dismissed [Paras 1-46].

Modification of Prospectus – Authority and Judicial Review –Terms of the prospectus empowered the University to modify admission procedures based on the prevailing situation – Decision to scrap entrance exams due to COVID-19 was within the University’s authority and aimed at ensuring public health and safety – Such decisions, while legally sound, remain open to judicial scrutiny and must align with statutory mandates and institutional competence [Paras 30-35].

COVID-19 Precautions – Impact on Admission Procedures –Court recognized the University's practical difficulties in conducting physical exams, including the risk of viral spread and adherence to social distancing protocols – Decision based on detailed assessment of resources and public health guidelines – Emphasized duty of institutions to safeguard health of candidates and staff [Paras 40-45].

Decision:Writ petition dismissed – University’s decision to scrap entrance exams upheld as legally justified and in public interest under exceptional circumstances caused by the COVID-19 pandemic [Para 46].

University Regulations – Eligibility and Compliance – Student Rights – Petitioner, a BA student, permitted by Vice Chancellor to opt for History and Culture of Punjab instead of Punjabi, contrary to the online joint prospectus and statutory regulations – Syndicate reversed decision – Held, actions of university officials in violation of statutory regulations do not confer vested rights on students – No estoppel against law – Petition dismissed with costs on the University for improper conduct causing stress and jeopardizing the petitioner’s career [Paras 1-19].

Statutory Compliance – Role of University Authorities – Judicial Review – Vice Chancellor’s approval inconsistent with regulations – Eligibility criteria under prospectus mandatory – Syndicate, as competent authority, rightfully reversed the Vice Chancellor’s decision – University must adhere to statutory provisions in educational administration [Paras 13-17].

Decision: Petition dismissed – Petitioner not entitled to opt for History and Culture of Punjab – University ordered to pay costs of Rs. 25,000 to petitioner for improper initial approval and resultant distress – Petitioner allowed to take Punjabi examination as a deficient subject/paper [Paras 17-19].