The NDMC wanted to auction the lease, as was the mandate under the New Delhi Municipal Act, 1994. IHC unsuccessfully sought an automatic extension and a right of first refusal before the Delhi High Court and the Supreme Court. What it ultimately got was a pat on the back from the Supreme Court, which asked the NDMC to “take into account the unblemished track record of the petitioner hotel [IHC] as well as its capability” while auctioning the lease.
It is probably unprecedented that in a direction calling for fresh unbiased auctions, the court gives a window to one party, more