Sri Dhananjoy Kr Uzir vs. The State Of Assam And 8 Ors

Held

The Court held that since it was an admitted fact that the petitioner's vehicles were taken on hire by the Respondent Authorities, the petitioner would be entitled to the amounts due upon proper verification of the claims. This verification is contingent upon the submission of the required documents by the petitioner, namely Registration Certificates, Insurance, GST (3B) Forms, Driving License, and Declaration Certificates. The Court directed the petitioner to submit these documents along with a certified copy of the judgment to the Office of the Director General of Police. Upon receipt, the respondents are to verify the petitioner's entitlement. If found entitled, the amount claimed or any other amount due shall be paid to the petitioner within a period of six months from the date of submission of the documents. The Court did not expressly leave any issue undecided.

Facts

The petitioner, Sri Dhananjoy Kr Uzir, is the owner of several vehicles hired by the Respondent Authorities (State of Assam and its various departments, including police) during 2024 for emergency purposes and law and order maintenance. The vehicles were returned after use. The petitioner submitted bills totaling Rs. 24,69,214/- for the services rendered, but the amount has not been paid. The petitioner approached the Gauhati High Court under Article 226 of the Constitution of India seeking payment of the outstanding dues, alleging inaction by the authorities. The respondents acknowledged hiring the vehicles but stated that verification of bills was pending due to the petitioner's failure to submit required documents.

Key Issues

1. Whether the petitioner is entitled to payment for the vehicles hired by the Respondent Authorities, considering the pending verification of claims? (Question of law and fact, turning on principles of contract and administrative action). Petitioner's contention: The petitioner argued that the vehicles were indeed hired and utilized by the authorities, and therefore, payment for the services rendered is due. The petitioner asserted that the authorities have failed to release the payment without any justification, despite repeated approaches. Respondents' contention: The learned Additional Senior Government Advocate for the respondents submitted that while the vehicles were hired, the verification of the petitioner's bills was hampered because the petitioner had not submitted up-to-date Registration Certificates (RC), insurance documents, GST (3B) Forms, Driving Licenses, and Declaration Certificates. An instruction dated 18.06.2026 from the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime), Guwahati, was placed on record, indicating that the petitioner was informed to submit the correct documents for further verification.