SHIV ANAND Vs. UNION OF INDIA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This order shall govern two petitions filed by the petitioners praying inter alia for identical relief, which is for issuance of directions to the respondents/Railways to declare the proceedings of closure of STD/PCO/FAX/Internet booths allotted to them at New Delhi Railway Station, as illegal and arbitrary and to call upon the respondent/Railways to explain failure on their part to invite fresh bids for the aforesaid PCO booths.

(2.) For the sake of convenience, the facts of WP(C)No.6668/2013 are taken into consideration.

(3.) The petitioner in WP(C) No.6668/2013 was allotted a PCO booth at New Delhi Railway Station on 23.10.2003. Originally, the said allotment was made for a period of three years. However, it is an admitted position that later on, the said period of three years was extended to five years. At the expiry of the first term of contract on 22.10.2008, the said contract was extended for another term of five years, from 23.10.2008 to 22.10.2013.