Dnyaneshwar Bapurao Potphode v. The Union Of India Through Ministry Of Petroleum And Natural Gas And Others

2025:BHC-AUG:10428-DB 949-WP-4562-2025.odt

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE OF BOMBAY

BENCH AT AURANGABAD 949 WRIT PETITION NO. 4562 OF 2025 DNYANESHWAR BAPURAO POTPHODE

VERSUS

THE UNION OF INDIA THROUGH MINISTRY OF PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS AND OTHERS ....

Mr. U. B. Bondar, Advocate for the Petitioner Ms P. J. Bharad, AGP for the Respondent - State Mr. S. W. Munde, Advocate for Respondent No.1 Mr. Anand Bhandari, Advocate for Respondent No.2 ....

CORAM : MANGESH S. PATIL & Y. G. KHOBRAGADE, JJ.

DATE : 03.04.2025 PER COURT :- .

The petitioner is challenging the communication dated 26.02.2025, whereby his candidature for allotment of RO dealership at Kanhergaon, taluka Basmat, has been turned down on the ground of his failure to produce caste validity certificate within 190 days.

2.

In several similar matters, this Court has consistently held that neither the respective oil companies, not even this court

(( 2 )) 949-WP-4562-2025 can extend the time stipulated pursuant to the guidelines which mandate furnishing the caste validity certificate within the stipulated time.

3.

One cannot lose sight of the fact that it is a matter of competition. If the petitioner has not been able to comply with and has not produced a caste validity certificate, there would be another candidate eligible to derive the benefit, whose right cannot be upset by passing an order invoking the powers under Article 226 of the Constitution of India.

4.

The writ petition is dismissed.

[ Y. G. KHOBRAGADE, J. ] [ MANGESH S. PATIL, J.] SMS