JUDGMENT

1. The Petitioner has filed this Writ Petition challenging Ext.P17 Order rejecting the Application for No Objection Certificate under Rule 144 of the Petroleum Rules , 2002, of the Respondent No.4 for establishing a Petroleum Retail Outlet by the Petitioner as the Dealer of the Respondent No.4. Petitioner has obtained a Letter of Intent to start a Petroleum Retail Outlet from the Respondent No.4 on his land situated in Survey Nos.98/20 & 98/17 of Achuranam Village in Vythiri Taluk in Wayanad District. Respondent No.4 has obtained Ext.P4 PESO Clearance for the said Outlet.

2. Respondent Nos. 4, 5 & 6 have filed Counter Affidavit supporting the Petitioner. The Respondent No.2/District Collector has filed a Counter Affidavit opposing the prayers in the Writ Petition.

3. I heard the learned Counsel for the Petitioner, Sri. Praveen K. Joy, learned Government Pleader for Respondent Nos. 2 & 3, and the learned Counsel for the Respondent Nos.4 to 6, Sri. Nithin George.

4. The contention of the learned Counsel for the Petitioner is that all the authorities have recommended the suitability of the site for starting the Petroleum Retail Outlet to the Respondent No.3/Additional District