Ismail Hussen Mondal v. the State of Assam and Ors.
Case brief
What is this about?
Tied-bid ghat settlement challenge, Gauhati High Court, WP(C)/573/2026 [neutral citation 2026:GAU-AS:7880], decided 05.06.2026 by N. Unni Krishnan Nair, J. Petitioner Ismail Hussen Mondal challenged the Standing Committee of 25 No. Borairalga Gaon Panchayat's decision (meeting dated 27.08.2025) and consequential order dated 01.09.2025 settling the Dewaneralga-Beparipara Shallow Ghat (2025-2026) on private respondent Md. Imran Ali, after both valid bidders quoted Rs. 8,690/-. Held: number of documents attached cannot be the selection criterion where both bidders filed all requisite tender documents; procedure inconsistent with normal process for settlement of State largesse; selection and settlement order set aside; fresh settlement by draw of lots between the two eligible bidders on or before 11.06.2026, settlement by 15.06.2026. Keywords: ghat/fisher settlement, tied bids, equal quotation, draw of lots, arbitrariness in public tenders, Gaon Panchayat, Anchalik Panchayat, Zila Parishad, Panchayat and Rural Development Department Assam, South Salmara Mankachar.