A private firm, which wants to bid for supply of bulletproof jackets to the state police force, has approached the Bombay high court challenging the government’s move to blacklist it ahead of the fresh bidding process.

MKU Private Limited approached court claiming that the government was deliberately trying to avoid its bid even though it is the lowest.

A division bench of justice S Vazifdar and justice MR Bhatkar on Wednesday posted the company’s petition for further hearing on March 7, after finding that the decision on blacklisting it was yet to be taken.

Government pleader Dhairyasheel Nalawade submitted that during the 26/11 attacks, the bulletproof jackets failed to protect police personnel, and therefore, last year the government floated the tender to procure new jackets.

Nalawade said in November 2012, when technical bids were opened, it was found that only one bidder cleared the ballistic specifications, and therefore extended tenders are invited and a government notification to that effect will be issued on Thursday.

He also informed the court that the special inspector general of police (provision) had on August 3, 2012, forwarded a proposal to the government for blacklisting the petitioner company and a decision on it would be taken in due course.