Railways plea adjourned by two weeks

Justice Suresh Kumar Kait of the High Court at Hyderabad on Tuesday adjourned by two weeks a writ plea with piquant situation where the Railways and its counsel were taking opposite stances on fact and law. The judge was dealing with a writ plea filed by Shaik Azad challenging a notification issued by the South Central Railway to auction rights of sale of a food stall at Warangal district.

The standing counsel for the railways pointed out that though the period of the contract was only five years, in a collusive attempt, an additional three years were added and therefore the railways was right in proceeding with the auction at the end of the five-year term. The judge then summoned the concerned Deputy Commercial Manager. Senior counsel appearing for the railways pointed out that the interpretation by the Standing Counsel was at best a personal perception and was not collusive.