Visa, passport services in US: HC issues notice to Centre

"On the alternative, if the contract has been awarded and agreement/contract has been already entered into with Cox & Kings in the said eventuality, the said award and contract awarded to/entered into with it may be struck down or quashed," it said.

According to the petition, on June 6, 2012, BLS participated in the bidding process related to the visa outsourcing contract in the US. The petitioner was found technically and financially fit and was awarded the contract on June 15.

Later, the petitioner's contract was put on hold and asked not to start the assigned work. In January 2013, its contract was cancelled and the Indian Embassy in the US invited fresh tender bids.

The petitioner again participated in the tender and was awarded the contract on May 17.

However, its contract was again terminated because the permission of value-added services was not granted and BLS exercised its option to seek termination of the contract by giving six months notice in advance.

The Indian Embassy in the US had announced to outsource its passport and visa related services to Cox & Kings following complaints against BLS International Services Ltd.