The petitioner has instituted the instant writ petition under Article 226 of the Constitution of India seeking setting aside and quashing of a Letter bearing no. TDO/R/RO Dealership/Diphu Town/731 dated 17.02.2023 issued by the respondent no. 2 on behalf of the respondent Indian Oil Corporation Limited [IOCL] and for a direction in the nature of mandamus to the respondent authorities in the Indian Oil Corporation Limited [IOCL] to award the Retail Outlet Dealership at the location, Diphu Town Not on NH/SH, District – Karbi Anglong to the petitioner.

2. The respondent no. 1, Indian Oil Corporation Limited [IOCL], a Public Sector Oil Marketing Company [OMC], published an Advertisement on 25.11.2018 inviting applications from eligible persons for appointment as a dealer in respect of a proposed Retail Outlet Dealership for the location at Diphu Town Not on NH/SH, District – Karbi Anglong [hereinafter referred to as ‘the subject-location’, for easy reference] in the State of Assam. The Advertisement mentioned that Retail Outlet Dealership would be awarded to a candidate belonging to the Scheduled Tribe category. The petitioner herein, an MBBS Degree-holder, responded to the said Advert