SC upholds Delhi HC order quashing passport, visa service tenders at 4 missions abroad

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday refused to interfere with a Delhi High Court judgment that quashed tenders for outsourcing consular, passport and visa (CPV) services at Indian missions in Abu Dhabi, Kuwait, Singapore and Canberra.

Upholding the high court's judgment, a three-member bench headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant dismissed the Central government's plea challenging the high court ruling but issued directions to prevent any disruption of services at the Indian missions concerned.

Also read: Delhi HC sets aside tender process for consular, visa services at four Indian Missions including in Singapore, Australia


"We are of the view that no impediment should be caused to the day-to-day functioning of the concerned establishments, pending the completion of the fresh tender process," the bench observed.

The interim arrangements so permitted include engaging the existing successful L-1 bidders or any other agency to ensure uninterrupted services while a fresh tender process is completed.