M.Pathampriyal v. The General Manager

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 28.07.2025

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE G.R.SWAMINATHAN and THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE K.RAJASEKAR and C.M.P(MD)No.3445 of 2025 M.Pathampriyal ... Appellant / Petitioner Vs.

1.The General Manager, Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited, South Zone Office, Thalamuthu Natarajan Maaligai, 4th Floor, Gandhi Irvin Salai, Egmore, Chennai - 8.

2.The Head of Regional Office, HPCL, Madurai Retail RO, 1st Floor, BSNL CMTS Bhavan, 70 Feet Road, Ellis Nagar, Madurai, Tamil Nadu - 625 016.

... Respondents / Respondents Prayer: Writ Appeal filed under Clause 15 of the Letters Patent to set aside the order passed in W.P(MD)No.4100 of 2025 dated 17.12.2025 on the file of this Court.

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For Appellant : Mr.T.Aswin Raja Simmon For Respondents : Mr.R.J.Karthick

JUDGMENT

(By G.R.SWAMINATHAN, J.) Heard both sides.

2.The respondent petroleum Corporation issued a notification dated 28.06.2023 calling for applications from eligible candidates for the allotment of retail outlets in rural areas. One of the areas earmarked in the notification was Nainarkulam Village, Ramanathapuram District. The appellant was one of the applicants. On the ground that the site offered by the appellant did not meet the norms, her application was rejected. Challenging the same, the appellant filed W.P(MD)No.4100 of 2025 was filed. The said Writ Petition was dismissed by the learned single Judge vide order dated 17.02.2025. Aggrieved by the same, this Writ Appeal has been filed.

3.The only ground on which the appellant's application was rejected is that the site offered by her was abutting the highway and therefore it cannot be called as a rural area. To overcome the same, the appellant has now offered an alternative site.

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4.Considering the special facts and circumstances of this case, we direct the respondents herein to consider the alternative site now proposed by the appellant and pass a suitable order within a period of four weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. We make it clear that we have not gone into the merits of the matter. The discretion of the respondents is left open. 5.This Writ Appeal is disposed of accordingly. There shall be no order as to costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petition is closed. [G.R.S., J.] [K.R.S., J.] 28.07.2025 NCC : Yes / No Internet : Yes / No Index : Yes / No MGA To 1.The General Manager, Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited, South Zone Office, Thalamuthu Natarajan Maaligai, 4th Floor, Gandhi Irvin Salai, Egmore, Chennai - 8.

2.The Head of Regional Office, HPCL, Madurai Retail RO, 1st Floor, BSNL CMTS Bhavan, 70 Feet Road, Ellis Nagar, Madurai, Tamil Nadu - 625 016.

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G.R.SWAMINATHAN, J and K.RAJASEKAR, J.

MGA 28.07.2025 4/4