M/S. Indian Oil Corporation Limited v. Commissioner Of Civil Supplies And Consumer
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED : 14.10.2025
CORAM
THE HONOURABLE Mr.JUSTICE M.DHANDAPANI W.P.Nos.39050 and 39051 of 2025 & WMP Nso.43777 & 43779 of 2025 M/s.Indian Oil Corporation Limited, Rep. by its Chief General Manager (LPG-S&D) Indian Oil Bhavan, 139, Nungambakkam High Road, Chennai 600 034.
... Petitioner in W.P.No.39050 of 2025 M/s.Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd., Rep. by its Territory Manager, LPG, No.1, Ranganathan Garden, Off 11th Main Road, Anna Nagar, Chennai 600 040.
... Petitioner in W.P.No.39051 of 2025 Vs
1. The Commissioner of Civil Supplies and Consumer Protection Department, Ezhilagam, Chennai.
2. The Director General of Police, State of Tamil Nadu, Chennai.
3. K.Sundarrajan, 1/6
President, Southern Regional Bulk, L.P.G. Transport Owners Association, No.87, Salem Road, Namakkal - 637 001.
4. S.Senthil Kumar, Secretary, Southern Regional Bulk, L.P.G. Transport Owners Association, No.87, Salem Road, Namakkal - 637 001.
... Respondents Common Prayer : Writ Petitions filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying to issue a Writ of Mandamus, directing respondents 1 to 2 to invoke the powers under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955, and other statutory enactment to take immediate steps for ensuring uninterrupted and continuous supply of LPG products at all locations of the petitionerCorporation in the State of Tamil Nadu. In both cases For Petitioner : Mr.A.R.L.Sundaresan, Assistant Solicitor General of India Assisted by Mr.Anantha Natarajan.V For Respondents : Mr.P.Kumaresan, Additional Advocate General Assisted by Ms.S.Anitha, Special Government Pleader for R1 Mr.S.Balaji, Government Advocate (Crl. Side) for R2 Mr.T.D.Vasu for Mr.K.Kuppusamy for R3 & R4 COMMON ORDER 2/6
These writ petitions have been filed directing respondents 1 to 2 to invoke the powers under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955, and other statutory enactment to take immediate steps for ensuring uninterrupted and continuous supply of LPG products at all locations of the petitionerCorporation in the State of Tamil Nadu.
2. Ms.S.Anitha, learned Special Government Pleader who led by Mr.P.Kumaresan, learned Additional Advocate General takes notice for R1, Mr.S.Balaji, learned Government Advocate (Crl. Side) takes notice for R2 and Mr.T.D.Vasu, learned counsel appearing for Mr.K.Kuppusamy, takes notice for the R3 and R4.
3. By consent, the writ petition is taken up for final disposal at the admission stage itself.
4. The brief case of the petitioners is that the petitioners / oil companies floated tenders for transportation of petroleum products by road to various parts of the State of Tamil Nadu through e-tender on different dates and the same was finalised. However the work order was not issued to 3/6
the respective successful tenderers. In the meanwhile, after expiry of the contract, the existing contracts was extended upto October 2025 and February 2026. Aggrieved by the short date extension, the respective Lorry owners Association convened a General Body Meeting at Namakkal and decided to go for a strike. Hence, the petitioners filed the present writ petitions seeking the aforesaid relief.
5. Mr.A.R.L.Sundaresan, learned Assistant Solicitor General of India assisted by Mr.Anantha Natarajan.V, learned counsel for the petitioners, on instruction would submit that the contract for the existing contractors will be extended up to 31.03.2026. In the meanwhile, the work order will be issued to the successful bidder to enable them to continue after 31.03.2026. The said proposal was also accepted.
6. Mr.T.D.Vasu, learned counsel appearing for Mr.K.Kuppusamy, learned counsel for the respondents 3 and 4 on instructions would submit that the proposal submitted by the learned Assistant Solicitor General may be recorded in this writ petition. Further, the learned counsel submits that 4/6
the respondents 3 and 4 undertake that they will not resort to any strike.
7. Recording the same, a direction is issued to the petitioners company to extend the period of contract till 31.03.2026 to enable the earlier contractors who are members of the respondents 3 and 4 to operate the tanker lorries for transportation of Petroleum products throughout the State of Tamil Nadu upto 31.03.2026. The respondents 3 and 4 undertake that they will not go on strike. The said undertaking is recorded.
8. Accordingly, recording the consent and undertaking given by the learned counsel appearing on either side, the Writ Petitions stand disposed of. No costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petitions are closed. 14.10.2025 Index:Yes/No Speaking Order/Non Speaking Order vum Note: Issue order copy today (17.10.2025) M.DHANDAPANI,J.
vum To 5/6
1. The Commissioner of Civil Supplies and Consumer Protection Department, Ezhilagam, Chennai.
2. The Director General of Police, State of Tamil Nadu, Chennai.
W.P.Nos.39050 and 39051 of 2025 & WMP Nso.43777 & 43779 of 2025 14.10.2025 6/6