Madras High CourtWP(MD)/15432/2026disposed of

Mohan N Patel v. The Chairman And Managing Director

2026-06-10Honourable Mr Justice D.Bharatha Chakravarthy6 pages

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT Dated: 10.06.2026

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR JUSTICE D.BHARATHA CHAKRAVARTHY Mohan N Patel ... Petitioner(s) - Vs. - 1.The Chairman and Managing Director, Indian Oil Corporation Limited, Indian Oil Bhavan, G-9, Ali Yavar Jung Marg, Bandra (East), Mumbai - 400 051.

2.The Divisional Retail Head, Indian Oil Corporation Limited, Trichy Divisional Office, Triveni, B-35, Shastri Road, Thillai Nagar, Trichy-620 018.

... Respondent(s) Prayer : Writ Petition is filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying this Court Writ Petition, filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying this court to issue a Writ of Mandamus or any other appropriate Writ, Order or Direction in the nature of Writ, directing the respondents to grant Retail outlet dealership in favour of the petitioner for the location Thuvagudi to Mathur Junction (New Outer Ring Road) Trichy Bypass on NH, Trichy District, Tamil Nadu State under Open category based on the petitioner`s application No. IOC16947160694680 dated 15.09.2026 within the period that may be stipulated by this Honble Court

and to pass such further or other orders as this Honble court may deem fit and proper in the circumstances of this case and thus render justice. For Petitioner :Mr.S.Saravanakumar For Respondents :Mr.M.Mahaboob Athiff Standing Counsel

ORDER

This writ petition is filed for a mandamus directing the respondents to grant retail Outlet Dealership in favour of the petitioner for the location at Thuvagudi to Mathur Junction (New Outer Ring Road) Trichy bypass on NH, Trichy District, Tamil Nadu State, under ppen category based on the petitioner's application No. IOC16947160694680 dated 15.09.2026. 2.Upon hearing the learned counsel for the petitioner and perusing the material records of the case, the case of the petitioner is that the petitioner was provisionally granted the Retail outlet, but however, there arose a title dispute with the third party on account of which, the respondents are not proceeding in further issuing the letter of intent and to establish the retail outlet.

3.The learned counsel would submit that the entire issue was kept on hold earlier only on the ground of a claim by the rival party. As a matter of fact, the revenue authorities including the Revenue Divisional Officer, has held that the third party should approach the civil Court and refused to interfere with the revenue documents. In view thereof, there is no

justification in withholding the further proceedings in the matter and therefore, the petitioner is before this Court. 4.Per Contra, Mr.M.Mahaboob Athiff, learned Standing Counsel took notice for the respondents would submit that already by a communication dated 30.05.2025, the respondent Corporation has communicated its stand. The said order is not challenged, in any event, the matter is in a preliminary stage and there is no accrued right of the petitioner to claim letter of intent to be issued to the petitioner. Since noticing that the title itself is in dispute, the respondent is not proceeding with the matter. 5.I have considered the rival submissions made on either side and perused the material records of the case.

6.The fact that the petitioner was provisionally selected is not in dispute. On perusal of the communication dated 30.05.2025, it can be seen that by taking stock of the legal opinion as well as the orders passed in WP(MD)No.12570 of 2021, a decision was made to put the letter of intent on hold. A perusal thereof, it can be seen that no final decision was arrived at. It is the contention of the petitioner that subsequently RDO has also passed an orders and therefore, the authority should proceed further.

7.In view thereof, let the petitioner place on record all the materials it intended to place before they respondent authority. It is for the respondent authority to consider the entire issue based on their own rules and circulars and pass final orders with reference to grant of letter of intent to the petitioner.

8.The writ petition is disposed on the following terms: (i)Within two weeks from the date of receipt of the web copy of the order, the petitioner shall make a detailed representation enclosing all such documents relating to the title, any order passed by the Revenue or other authorities or under such other materials;

(ii)It is for the second respondent to consider the same in accordance with their Rules and Circulars and pass final orders with reference to the grant of letter of intent to the petitioner as expeditiously as possible; (iii)In any event, the said order shall be passed within a period of eight weeks from the date of receipt of the representation by the of the petitioner. It is made clear that the direction is only to the second respondent.

(iv)No costs.

10.06.2026 NCC:Yes/No

To 1.The Chairman and Managing Director, Indian Oil Corporation Limited, Indian Oil Bhavan, G-9, Ali Yavar Jung Marg, Bandra (East), Mumbai - 400 051.

2.The Divisional Retail Head, Indian Oil Corporation Limited, Trichy Divisional Office, Triveni, B-35, Shastri Road, Thillai Nagar, Trichy-620 018.

D.BHARATHA CHAKRAVARTHY, J.

Ns 10.06.2026