JUDGMENT

These writ petitions are filed challenging circulars issued by the Oil Companies seeking details including income-tax returns, sales-tax returns and Bank statements of the petitioners. The petitioners, who are dealers of petroleum products under the respondent public sector Oil Companies, challenge Exhibit P2 series of circulars directing them to submit the details of dealerships including sales tax returns, income tax returns and Bank statements for the relevant financial years. Relying on the decision of the Apex Court inK.S.Puttaswamy v. Union of India [(2017)10 SCC 1], it is contended that tax returns and Bank statements are private information in respect of the petitioners and the compulsory disclosure of the same would amount to violation of the fundamental right of privacy guaranteed to the petitioners. It is stated that all formalities required for grant of licence have been complied with in full by the petitioners. It is further submitted that there are specific checks and measures in force and the Oil Companies are enabled to access all necessary information with regard to the retail dealers as well as the licences. It is stated that the income-tax returns of the