A.Vijayalakshmi v. The Indian Oil Corporation
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED: 16-12-2025
CORAM
THE HONOURABLE MR JUSTICE N. SATHISH KUMAR A.Vijayalakshmi W/o.A.V.Prashath, 1043, Sathanur Dam Road, Old No.102, North Street, Sathanur Village, Thanrampet Taluk, Thiruvannamalai District Petitioner(s) Vs
1. The Indian Oil Corporation, Rep. By Chief Area Manager, Indane Divisional Office, 500 Anna Salai, Teynampet, Chennai 600018.
2.Divisional LPG Head, Chennai Indane Divisional Office, Marketing Division, Indane Divisional Office, 500 Anna Salai, Teynampet, Chennai 600018.
Respondent(s) PRAYER This writ petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India to issue a writ of certiorarified Mandamus calling for the records of the impugned order dated 28/03/2024 made in Ref.No.CHAO /STR passed by the 2nd
respondent and quash the same, consequently direct the respondents to select petitioner as a dealer for Indane Gas Agencies under the scheme Rajiv Gandhi Gramin LPG Vitrak (RGGLV) at Sathanur, Thiruvannamalai District. For Petitioner(s):
Mr. K.Balu For Respondent(s):
Mr, R.Sreedhar, Standing Counsel, for R1 & R2
ORDER
Challenging the impugned order dated 28.03.2024 passed by the 2nd respondent, the present writ petition has been filed.
2. It is the case of the petitioner that she has applied for an LPG distributorship under RGGLV Scheme by producing a Nativity Certificate bearing No.87/2010 dated 21.01.2011. She was selected on 15.06.2011. Thereafter, one Jayakanthan, who was one among the unsuccessful candidate, made a representation to the Tahsildar seeking cancellation of the petitioner's Nativity Certificate and without conducting any enquiry, the Tahsildar cancelled the said certificate.
3. Aggrieved thereby, the petitioner had filed an appeal before the Revenue Divisional Officer, Thiruvannamalai. The petitioner has also filed
W.P.No.22147 of 2012 seeking a direction to dispose of the appeal within a stipulated period. This Court, by order dated 14.08.2012, disposed of the writ petition with a direction to the RDO, Thiruvanamalai to consider the appeal and pass orders within a period of four weeks. Consequently, the Revenue Divisional Officer, Thiruvannamalai, by proceedings dated 10.01.2013, restored the nativity certificate issued in favour of the petitioner.
4. However, all of a sudden, on 28.01.2013, one Mr.Thasanadhan was selected. Hence, the petitioner filed W.P.No.5043 of 2013 challenging the selection of Mr.Thasanadhan and Mr.Jayakanthan filed W.P.No.5425 of 2013 seeking a direction to conduct a fresh draw. This Court, by a common order, dated 03.08.2022, disposed of the writ petitions with a direction to conduct a fresh draw. Pursuant thereto, the petitioner made a representation to the first respondent on 16.09.2022. The first respondent thereafter issued a notice vide No.CHAO-105/RGGLB/STR/02 dated 28.10.2022 calling upon the candidates to appear for the draw for selection of RGGLB on 14.11.2022 at 10.00 a.m. The petitioner had participated in the said draw, and Mr.Jayakanthan was selected.
5. Thereafter, on 07.12.2022, the petitioner made a representation stating that the selected candidate Mr.Jayakanthan, did not satisfy the eligibility criteria
as advertised by the first respondent in the year 2010 and that one Mrs.Muthulakshmi also did not have residence in the advertised area. The second respondent, vide letter No.CIIAO/RGGLB/STR/01 dated 20.02.2023, issued a reply. However, without considering the prolonged litigation, the second respondent suddenly cancelled all distributorship in the advertised area vide the impugned order dated 28.03.2024. Challenging the same, the petitioner has approached this Court by way of the present writ petition.
6. The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner would submit that the petitioner was originally selected on 15.06.2011. Subsequently, pursuant to the orders passed in the writ petition, a fresh draw was conducted, in which one Jayakanthan was selected and his selection was also cancelled. Therefore, according to the petitioner, since she was selected in the year 2010, she ought to be granted the distributorship based on the said selection.
7. Per contra, the learned counsel appearing for the respondents would submit that much water has been flown since the original advertisement dated 13.03.2010. Though the petitioner was initially selected, several writ petitions came to be filed before this Court, and in W.P. Nos.5043 and 5425 of 2013, this Court directed the respondents to conduct a fresh draw and permit the petitioner
to participate in the same, and further directed that whoever was selected in such fresh draw should be granted the distributorship. The said order was passed on 03.08.2022. Pursuant thereto, a fresh draw was conducted, in which one Jayakanthan was selected. Subsequently, his distributorship was also cancelled. Therefore, it is contended that nothing survives for adjudication in this writ petition.
8. I have considered the matter in the light of the submissions made on both side and perused the materials placed on records carefully.
9. The petitioner seeks allotment of the distributorship based on the selection made in the year 2010. It is relevant to note that the said selection was the subject matter of the multiple litigations. This Court, in W.P.Nos. 5043 & 5425 of 2013, had already directed the respondents to conduct a fresh draw, which was accordingly conducted. One Jayakanthan candidate was selected in such a fresh draw and his candidature was also cancelled subsequently. At this stage, the petitioner cannot once again seek allotment based on the 2010 selection, which itself was subjected to judicial scrutiny and superseded by the direction for a fresh draw. In such view of the matter, I do not find any merit in the writ petition.
10. Accordingly, this writ petition is dismissed . No costs. 16-12-2025 Index:Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order Internet:Yes mrp To 1.The Chief Area Manager, Indian Oil Corporation, Indane Divisional Office, 500 Anna Salai, Teynampet, Chennai 600018.
2.Divisional LPG Head, Chennai Indane Divisional Office, Marketing Division, Indane Divisional Office, 500 Anna Salai, Teynampet, Chennai 600018.
N.SATHISH KUMAR J.
mrp 16-12-2025