HIGH COURT OF ANDHRA PRADESH AT AMARAVATI ****

WRIT PETITION NO.2652 OF 2026 Between:

M/s. Indian Oil Corporation Limited … Petitioner (s)

Versus Union of India and another ...Respondents * * * * *

DATE OF JUDGMENT PRONOUNCED : 09.03.2026 SUBMITTED FOR APPROVAL:

HONOURABLE SRI JUSTICE K. SREENIVASA REDDY

1. Whether Reporters of Local Newspapers may be allowed to see the Judgment/Order? Yes/No

2. Whether the copy of Order may be marked to Law Reporters/Journals? Yes/No

3. Whether His Lordship wish to see the fair copy of the Judgment/Order? Yes/No JUSTICE K.SREENIVASA REDDY * HONOURABLE SRI JUSTICE K.SREENIVASA REDDY + WRIT PETITION NO.2652 OF 2026 % 09.03.2026 # Between:

M/s. Indian Oil Corporation Limited … Appellant (s)

Versus Union of India and another ...Respondents ! Counsel for the Appellant (s) : Sri Ashok Ram V ^ Counsel for the Respondents : Ms. Amrutha Boppudi (Central Government Standing Counsel)

Gist:

> Head Note:

? Cases referred:

1. 2026 SCC OnLine Ker 317.

This Court made the following:

APHC010041572026 IN THE HIGH COURT OF ANDHRA PRADESH AT AMARAVATI [3327]

(Special Original Jurisdiction)

MONDAY, THE NINTH DAY OF MARCH TWO THOUSAND AND TWENTY SIX PRESENT THE HONOURABLE SRI JUSTICE K SREENIVASA REDDY WRIT PETITION NO: 2652/2026 Between:

1. M/S.INDIAN OIL CORPORATION LIMITED, A GOVERNMENT OF INDIA UNDERTAKING, REP. BY ITS CHIEF DIVISIONAL RETAIL SALES MANAGER, LIE BUILDING, 8^TH FLOOR, JEEVITHA BIMA ROAD, VISAKHAPATNAM - 530004, ANDHRA PRADESH.

...PETITIONER A N D

1. UNION OF INDIA, REP. BY ITS SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY, NEW DELHI.

2. PETROLEUM AND EXPLOSIVES SAFETY ORGANISATION PESO, REP. BY ITS JOINT CHIEF CONTROLLER OF EXPLOSIVES, ROOM NO. 602, 6TH FLOOR, C.G.O. TOWERS, KAVADIGUDA, SECUNDERABAD - 500080.

...RESPONDENT(S):

Petition under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying that in the circumstances stated in the affidavit filed therewith, the High Court may be pleased to issue a Writ, order or direction, more particularly one in the nature of Mandamus, declaring the action of the 2nd respondent in cancelling the licence granted to the petitioner for the petroleum retail outlet of M/s Sivajyothi Enterprises vide order respondent bearing No.P/SC/AP/1/3134 (P64072) dated 28.11.2025, as illegal. arbitrary, violative of Rule 152 of Petroleum Rules, 2002 and principles of natural Justice, without assigning any reasons, and violative of Article 14, 19(1)(g) and 21 of the Constitution of India and consequently set aside the said order and consequently direct the respondents to forthwith restore the said licence and permit uninterrupted operations at the said premises, and pass IA NO: 1 OF 2026 Petition under Section 151 CPC praying that in the circumstances stated in the affidavit filed in support of the petition, the High Court may be pleased to stay the licence cancellation order bearing no.P/SC/AP/1/3134(P64072) dated 28.11.2025 issued by the 2nd respondent and pass IA NO: 2 OF 2026 Petition under Section 151 CPC praying that in the circumstances stated in the affidavit filed in support of the petition, the High Court may be pleased to vacate the interim orders dt.02.02.2026 in WP 2652 of 2026, to pass Counsel for the Petitioner:

1. ASHOK RAM V Counsel for the Respondent(S):

1. AMRUTHA BOPPUDI (CENTRAL GOVT COUNSEL)

The Court made the following:

O R D E R

This Writ Petition was filed seeking the following relief:

“…to issue an appropriate Writ, Order or direction more particularly one in the nature of Mandamus, declaring the action of 2^nd respondent in cancelling the license granted to the petitioner for the Petroleum Retail Outlet of M/s. Sivajyothi Enterprises vide Order respondent bearing No.P/SC/AP/1/3134(P64072) dated 28.11.2025, as illegal, arbitrary, violative of Rule 152 of the Petroleum Rules, 2002 and principles of natural justice, without assigning any reasons and violative of Articles 14, 19 (1) (g) and 21 of the Constitution of India and consequently, set-aside the order and direct the respondents to