Karnataka High Court upholds tender process for Sharavathi hydroelectric project
Bengaluru: The Karnataka High Court has given its approval for the tender process concerning the Sharavathi Hydroelectric Project, a crucial step in addressing the state's electricity deficit. The project, proposed by the state government with a budget of 8 thousand crore rupees, has faced legal challenges from Larsen and Toubro (L&T) Company.
L&T Company had contested the tender process through an appeal to the Division Bench, seeking to overturn the earlier decision of a single-member bench which had dismissed their writ petition. However, Chief Justice N.V. Anjaria and Justice Krishna Dixit upheld the previous ruling, denying L&T's appeal. Despite L&T's intention to file a appeal in the Supreme Court, their request for a stay on the High Court's decision was also rejected.
The Karnataka Electricity Corporation Limited (KPTCL) had initially planned the Hydro Power Pumped Storage Project at a cost of 8 thousand crores, with a reduced timeline of 21 days for tender submissions. This alteration sparked objections from L&T, arguing for the standard 30-day period mandated by the Transparency Act. However, the single-judge bench ruled against L&T's claim and upheld the authority of the tender-calling entity to adjust the rules as necessary.
In the current tender process, Mercus Megha Engineering and Infrastructure Limited emerged as the successful bidder, securing the contract with the lowest bid.
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BMW hit-and-run case: HC refuses to release accused Mihir Shah on ground of 'illegal' arrest
Mumbai (PTI): The Bombay High Court on Monday refused to release Mihir Shah, the main accused in a BMW hit-and-run case, on the ground of "illegal" arrest.
Shah, the 24-year-old son of a former Shiv Sena leader, and his driver Rajrishi Bidawat had filed petitions in the HC claiming they have been illegally detained and sought immediate release.
Shah was arrested on July 9, two days after he allegedly rammed his BMW car into a two-wheeler in Mumbai's Worli area, killing 45-year-old woman Kaveri Nakhwa and leaving her husband Pradeep injured.
His driver Bidawat, who was also present in the car at the time of the accident, was arrested on the day of the incident.
As per their pleas, the police had not informed them the grounds of their arrest at the time, which they claimed was in violation of the law.
A division bench of Justices Bharati Dangre and Manjusha Deshpande on Monday dismissed the petitions.
"Both the petitions are dismissed," the court said.
The duo sought their release, claiming any further detention would be in utter violation of the constitutional mandate and a failure to comply with Section 50 of the Code of Criminal Procedure.
Under this section, the police, while arresting a person, have to communicate to him/her full particulars of the offence for which he/she is being arrested or other grounds for such arrest.
Both Shah and Bidawat are presently in judicial custody.
In their habeas corpus (produce the person) petitions filed in the HC in August, Shah and Bidawat claimed their detention was illegal and sought that they be released immediately.
Shah, in the plea, sought quashing of the orders passed by a local court remanding him first in police custody and then judicial custody.
He also sought for his arrest to be declared as illegal.
Shah is accused of speeding off towards the Bandra Worli Sea Link after the accident, even as the woman remained on the bonnet of the car and then got entangled in its wheels, for a distance of more than 1.5 kilometres.
As per police, Shah, who fled from the scene, was under the influence of alcohol at the time.
Mihir Shah's father and former Shiv Sena leader Rajesh Shah had also been arrested in the case, but was later granted bail.
