In Brief
The Corporation of Chennai and Hind Agro Industries Limited entered a 2009 agreement to build a modern slaughterhouse. The first phase was completed in 2010, but phase two stalled due to land-handover disputes. When respondent-HAIL withdrew in 2012 yet later sought the land via writ petition, a PIL was filed to close the old slaughterhouse. The High Court directed the Corporation to hand over the land to respondent-HAIL to complete phase two. The Supreme Court held that this order improperly resurrected a contract abandoned by respondent-HAIL's own conduct, while public interest remained engaged. The Court instead directed the Corporation to complete the project through fresh tender, with respondent-HAIL entitled to reimbursement of its expended costs plus 8% interest.
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