The Central government has approached the Supreme Court to challenge a Delhi High Court order that quashed tenders linked to outsourced consular, passport and visa services at Indian Missions abroad. The move shifts the dispute over the high-value public procurement process to the country’s top court.
The High Court ruling had set aside the tender awards after petitions were filed by two bidders who had been disqualified from the process. That decision raised questions over how the outsourcing contracts for Consular, Passport and Visa services were awarded and whether the tender procedure could stand legal scrutiny.
By moving the apex court, the Centre is seeking relief from the fallout of the High Court judgment and asking for a review of the order affecting these overseas service arrangements. The case is significant because such contracts are tied to services used by Indian citizens and other applicants at missions outside India.
The Supreme Court petition now places the tender dispute in a new legal phase, with the government contesting the Delhi High Court’s intervention in the award process. The outcome could shape how the outsourcing of passport, visa and consular services is handled in future procurement decisions.
