The Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh High Court on Monday stepped in to address a brewing tender controversy involving M/s Mattoo Clean House and the Union of India. Justice Sanjay Dhar issued directions that the government must decide on pending representations before any move is made to re-tender the contract.
Background
The dispute arose after a government tender dated 25 May 2025, floated through the Government e-Marketplace (GeM), declared a bidder as the lowest (L1). However, the petitioner, M/s Mattoo Clean House, alleged that this bidder had quoted prices below the permissible limits prescribed by the Integrated Financial Advisor. The company claimed it had raised objections through representations on July 1 and July 25, but officials failed to act. With rumors of a possible re-tendering, the petitioner knocked on the doors of the High Court.
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During the hearing, senior advocate Shivani Jalali, representing the petitioner, argued that the authorities’ inaction was unfair and legally unsustainable. On the other side, government counsel Mr. Eishaan Dadhichi accepted the notice but sought time to file a formal reply.
Justice Dhar noted the petitioner’s concern that ignoring its objections could tilt the playing field in favor of the disputed bidder. The bench remarked, “The grievance of the petitioner deserves timely attention, and till a decision is taken, the work cannot be pushed into re-tendering.”
Decision
Issuing interim directions, the High Court ordered respondents No. 1 to 3 (government authorities) to decide on the petitioner’s representations “most expeditiously.” Until then, the court made it clear that the tender process must not be restarted. The matter will now come up again on October 31, 2025.
Case: M/s Mattoo Clean House v. Union of India & Ors.
Case No.: WP(C) No. 2473/2025, CM No. 5698/2025
Date of Order: 8 September 2025
Petitioner’s Counsel: Ms. Shivani Jalali, Sr. Advocate with Ms. Anjana Rana, Advocate
Respondents’ Counsel: Mr. Vishal Sharma, DSGI with Mr. Eishaan Dadhichi, GA
