Reportable
IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA
CIVIL APPELLATE JURISDICTION
CIVIL APPEAL NO. 4817 OF 2016
[Arising out of SLP [C] No.32730 of 2013]
State of Madhya Pradesh & Ors. … Appellants
Vs.
M/s. Ruchi Printers … Respondent(s)
[With C.A. No. 4818 of 2016 @ SLP [C] No.36095/2013; and
C.A. No. 4819 of 2016 @ SLP [C] No.36096/2013]
J U D G M E N T
ARUN MISHRA, J.
1. Leave granted.
2. The State has preferred the appeal as against the judgment and order
passed by the High Court of M.P. in the writ appeal and the writ petitions
decided by a common order dated 4.9.2012 dismissing the writ appeal and
allowing the petitions, thereby directing the State Government to accept
all materials which was ready for delivery on 22.5.2008 and quashing order
dated 30.1.2009 cancelling the communication dated 22.5.2008. Further
direction has been issued to make payment to the printers as per the terms
and conditions of the order dated 16.1.2008 read with order dated
25.2.2008.
3. Facts in short referred to from SLP [C] No.32730/2013 – State of M.P.
& Ors. v. M/s. Ruchi Printers indicate that the State Printing & Writing
Articles Department of Madhya Pradesh through its Controller, invited
quotations vide letter dated 2.1.2008 for printing Bhu-Adhikar and Rin
Pustikas. On 16.1.2008 printing order was placed with M/s. Ruchi Printers
for supply of 37,07,726 copies of Bhu-Adhikar and Rin Pustika. At least
half of the booklets were to be supplied in the first lot till 8.2.2008 and
the rest were to be supplied before 25.2.2008. On 25.2.2008 the Deputy
Controller wrote a letter on behalf of the Controller while approving the
modified booklet. The printers were asked to ensure the supply after
printing the allotted work. On 28.3.2008 another letter was written that
the time limit fixed was already over so rest of the work may be completed
till 31.3.2008. After 31.3.2008 no booklets shall be accepted. The decision
dated 28.3.2008 was questioned by filing writ petitions. Said writ petition
filed by M/s. Ruchi Printers had been allowed by Single Bench vide common
judgment and order dated 6.11.2008. State was directed to accept the
supply of 10.75 lakhs of Rin Pustikas from M/s. Ruchi Printers and to make
payment in accordance with the terms and conditions of the contract. In
another W.P. No.10319/2008 decided by same order, the single Bench asked
the petitioner to approach the State Government and the Government to
consider the claim in respect of the materials already supplied and to
settle the claim if not already settled. No other relief was given.
4. Aggrieved by the order passed in the case of Ruchi Printers, State
preferred a writ appeal which was heard and decided with writ petitions by
impugned common order.
5. It was submitted on behalf of learned counsel appearing on behalf of
the State that the High Court has erred in law in allowing the writ
petitions and dismissing the writ appeal. As per the initial order,
booklets were required to be supplied by 25.2.2008. Time was essence of
contract. Though time was extended but it was made clear that after
31.3.2008 no such booklets will be accepted, later on its format had been
changed for the subsequent year as such they were of no use to the State.
The payment was required to be made only on account of booklets which were
supplied till 31.3.2008. Letter dated 22.5.2008 was cancelled by the State
Government on 30.1.2009 and supply after 31.3.2008 had not been accepted as
it was of no use due to change of format. The writ petition could not be
said to be an appropriate remedy for claiming the amount in case of non-
statutory contract. The High Court has erred in directing the State
Government to accept the booklets printed till 22.5.2008.
6. Learned counsel appearing on behalf of the respondents has supported
the impugned judgment and orders passed by the High Court and has submitted
that in the writ petition filed by Ruchi Printers, order had been passed by
Single Bench on 6.11.2008 to make payment within three months as per the
communication dated 22.5.2008. Thus there was no justification to recall
the communication dated 22.5.2008 by issuance of letter dated 30.1.2009. As
the booklets had been printed the High Court had rightly directed to accept
the supply. Thus no case for interference is made out.
7. After hearing learned counsel for the parties, we are of the opinion
that the order for printing booklets was placed with printers on 16.1.2008.
The booklets were to be supplied on time bound basis by 25.2.2008. The
respondents were well aware that the time was the essence of the contract
and there was requirement of these booklets on time bound basis. Though
communication dated 25.2.2008 approving format was issued but the
respondents very well knew that the time was the essence of contract and
the printing of booklets was to be completed at the earliest. However as
supplies were not made as stipulated, even within one month after
25.2.2008, another communication dated 28.3.2008 was issued by the
Controller to supply Rin Pustikas before 31.3.2008. In case any work
remains incomplete, the work order be treated as cancelled. Thus, in
unequivocal terms, it was made clear that no booklets were to be received
after 31.3.2008 and whatever booklets were ready they were to be supplied
by 31.3.2008. Thus, in our opinion, there was no rhyme or reason for
printers to print any booklets after cancellation of order w.e.f. 31.3.2008
till 22.5.2008. Printing of booklets after 31.3.2008 was wholly
unauthorized. No doubt about it that on 22.5.2008 the Under Secretary had
issued a communication that certain specified number of booklets may be
accepted. However, the said communication had been recalled on 30.1.2009.
The High Court, in our opinion, was not at all justified in enforcing the
communication dated 22.5.2008 which was palpably illegal and there was
reason for the printers to print the booklets after 31.3.2008. In view of
aforesaid fact, the communication dated 22.5.2008 had been rightly
cancelled on 30.1.2009 as these booklets were no more required by State
Government due to further change of format of booklets. Even otherwise
timely supply was necessary as per order dated 16.1.2008 though the
communication dated 25.2.2008 was silent as to the time within which the
supply was to be made. The printers were very well aware that booklets were
required urgently and time was essence of the contract and time for supply
could not have been more than what was originally stipulated. Sufficient
time had been given to them to supply the booklets and the booklets
supplied by them till 31.3.2008 had been accepted by the appellants and
payment has also been made. Thus after the order for printing booklets
stood cancelled on failure to supply within the stipulated period, the
contract came to an end, there was no reason for the printers to print the
booklets. No communication has been placed on record between 31.3.2008 and
22.5.2008 asking printers to print and supply the booklets. No right
could be said to have accrued on the basis of palpably illegal
communication dated 22.5.2008. The Division Bench of the High Court in the
circumstances of the case has erred in directing that the booklets printed
till 22.5.2008 be accepted. Booklets printed after 31.3.2008 were without
any work order in existence. The communication dated 25.2.2008 did not
confer on them a right to print books after 31.3.2008. Whatever booklets
they had supplied till 31.3.2008 were accepted. Thus, the High Court has
erred in the facts of the case to interfere in contractual matter and by
granting the relief. However, we observe that in case payment has not been
made to the printers for booklets which were supplied till 31.3.2008, it
shall be made forthwith.
8. Thus, the impugned judgment and order is set aside, the appeals are
allowed. Parties to bear their own costs.
…….. ……………………….J.(V. Gopala Gowda)
……………………………..J.(Arun Mishra)
New Delhi;
May 5, 2016.
ITEM NO.1B-For Judgment COURT NO.9 SECTION IVA
S U P R E M E C O U R T O F I N D I A
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
Civil Appeal No(s).4817/2016 @ SLP(C) No.32730/2013
STATE OF M.P & ORS Appellant(s)
VERSUS
M/S RUCHI PRINTERS Respondent(s)
WITH
C.A. No. 4818/2016 @ SLP(C) No.36095/2013
C.A. No. 4819/2016 @ SLP(C) No.36096/2013
Date : 05/05/2016 These appeals were called on for pronouncement of
JUDGMENT today.
For Appellant(s) Mr. C. D. Singh,Adv.
For Respondent(s)
Mr. Dinesh Chandra Pandey,Adv.
Mr. Ashiesh Kumar,Adv.
Hon’ble Mr. Justice Arun Mishra pronounced the judgment of the Bench
comprising Hon’ble Mr. Justice V.Gopala Gowda and His Lordship.
Leave granted.
The appeals are allowed in terms of the signed reportable Judgment.
Pending application(s), if any, stand(s) disposed of.
(VINOD KUMAR JHA) (MALA KUMARI SHARMA)
COURT MASTER COURT MASTER
(Signed Reportable judgment is placed on the file)
Read Also: Case Brief- State of M.P & Ors Vs. M/S Ruchi Printers