In Brief
A maritime board in Gujarat allotted shipbreaking plots to the highest bidders, including Asiatic Steel, who paid substantial sums. When the plots proved unsuitable due to rocks and connectivity issues, other bidders sought court orders for refunds with interest, which the Board granted. Asiatic Steel also sought refund but the Board refused interest. The Supreme Court held the Board acted arbitrarily and discriminatorily by forcing Asiatic Steel to litigate despite knowing other identically situated bidders were granted interest. The Court upheld the High Court's refund order with interest but corrected the interest calculation date to when the principal amount was actually deposited, not from earnest money payment.
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