Facts
The petitioner, a civil engineering firm, applied to the respondents on 09.03.2026 for the issuance of "Work Site Inspection Certificates" and "Working Condition of the Plants & Machineries Certificates".
Source reference: p. 2These certificates were mandatory requirements for submitting online bids for a Short Term Tender (Notice No. 21/2025-2026/SDO) issued by the 1st respondent.
Source reference: p. 1-2The deadline for bid submission was set for 14.03.2026 at 11:30 AM.
Source reference: p. 1Despite the application, the respondents failed to issue the certificates, prompting the petitioner to file a Writ of Mandamus under Article 226 of the Constitution of India to avoid the imminent rejection of their bid.
Source reference: p. 2-3Issues
Whether the court should issue a Writ of Mandamus directing the respondents to provide the necessary tender-related certificates within a strictly stipulated timeframe to ensure the petitioner's participation in the bidding process.
Source reference: p. 2-3Law Applied
The court exercised its extraordinary jurisdiction under Article 226 of the Constitution of India.
Source reference: p. 1The primary legal principle applied is the doctrine of fairness in administrative action, specifically regarding the timely performance of statutory or official duties by state authorities in tender processes.
Source reference: no citationThe court relied on the recorded undertaking of the Additional Advocate General as a basis for its summary disposal of the writ petition.
Source reference: p. 3Reasoning
The petitioner argued that the respondents' inaction in issuing the certificates would cause "grave prejudice" and result in the automatic rejection of their tender application due to non-compliance with the notification's documentation requirements.
Source reference: p. 2The court noted the urgency of the matter, as the bid submission deadline was less than 24 hours away.
Source reference: p. 1, 3During the proceedings, the respondents, represented by the Additional Advocate General, did not contest the petitioner's entitlement to the certificates but instead provided a proactive undertaking to issue the Work Site Inspection and Machineries Certificates by 5:00 PM on the same day (13.03.2026).
Source reference: p. 3The court found that recording this submission was the most efficient way to resolve the dispute and protect the petitioner's right to participate in the competitive bidding process.
Source reference: p. 3Holding
The court disposed of the Writ Petition by recording the submission of the Additional Advocate General.
The 2nd respondent was specifically directed to issue the Work Site Inspection Certificates and the Working Condition of the Plants & Machineries Certificates to the petitioner on or before 5:00 PM on 13.03.2026, in alignment with the tender notification dated 24.02.2026.
Source reference: p. 3No costs were awarded, and the office was directed to issue the order copy on the same day to facilitate immediate compliance.
Source reference: p. 3Original Court PDF
M.Rajkumar Civil Engineering Private Ltd. v. The Superintending Engineer (H), Project Circle, Coimbatore and Anr. [WP No. 10400 of 2026]
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