IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED: 12.11.2025 CORAM:

THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE M. DHANDAPANI and W.M.P. No.23966 of 2023 and W.M.P. No.32610 of 2023 S.Prathima Petitioner Vs

1. Union of India Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, New Delhi.

2.The Chief General Manager Indian Oil Corporation Southern Region Office Indian Oil Bhavan

139, Uthamar Gandhi Salai Chennai 600 034

3.The General Manager (LPG Sales), Indian Oil Corporation Marketing Division Indane Area Office

500, Anna Salai, Teynampet Chennai 600 018.

4.Mr. N. Kuppan

5.N. Swetha

6.The Commissioner Office at The Block Development Office, Kundrathur Panchayat Union, Padappai, Sriperumbudur Taluk, Kancheepuram District Respondents Prayer : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying to issue Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus to call for the records of the speaking order passed by the 2nd respondent dated 02.06.2023 and quash the same and subsequently appoint an independent authority other than the 2nd and

3rd respondents to conduct fresh and fair enquiry and submit the report.

For petitioner : Mr. Sathish Parasaran Senior Counsel for Mr.K. Azhagarasan For respondents : Mr.K. Ramanamoorthy Central Government Standing Counsel for R1 Mr.Mohamed Fayaz Ali for R2 & R3 Mr.J. Srinivasa Mohan for M/s.TVS Associates for R4 & R5 Mr. Abishek Murthy for R6

ORDER

This writ petition has been filed to call for the records of the speaking order passed by the 2nd respondent dated 02.06.2023 and quash the same and subsequently appoint an independent authority other than the 2nd and 3rd respondents to conduct fresh and fair enquiry and submit the report

2 . F acts in brief :-

a) It is stated that pursuant to a Notification dated 29.03.2018, the petitioner has submitted an application for LPG Distributorship in respect of Chennai Pammal, Kancheepuram District. It is further stated that she is having hearing disability and therefore, she applied under the category “physically handicapped person” for the said distributorship. It is also stated that she submitted the said application along with other details and paid the necessary fees. The selection for distributorship conducted by draw of lots as there were more than one and selected candidates will be given a provisional allotment. Furthermore, based on Field Verification of Credentials, the Letter of Intent will be issued to the eligible persons, if otherwise, the provisional allotment will be cancelled. When that being the position, the respondents 2 and 3 bending the rules, issued the Letter of Intent in favour of the 4th respondent vide communication dated 24.07.2020, but according to the petitioner, the private respondents have miserably failed to satisfy the requirements stipulated under the unified guidelines for selection of LPG Distributorship. Initially aggrieved over the said communication, dated 24.07.2020, the petitioner filed writ petition before this Court in W.P. No.11667 of 2020. This Court, vide order dated 04.10.2021 closed the said writ petition, granting liberty to the petitioner to approach the authorities concerned by placing vital aspects of documentary evidences in support of her case.

b) Thereafter alleging certain irregularities in the selection, the petitioner submitted several representations stating that the respondents 4 and 5 had relied on forged documents and were not eligible as per the Unified Guidelines. Subsequently, she addressed her grievances through RTI and pursuant to which, the Block Development Officer has confirmed that the respondents 4 and 5 neither obtained building approval nor any plan approval and consequently cancelled the No Objection Certificate, vide communication dated 21.06.2021. Despite the above findings rendered by the Block Development Officer, it is the grievance of the petitioner that the respondents 2 and 3 have issued Letter of Appointment in favour of the respondents 4 and 5 in the name of M/s.Komala Indane Gas Agency. As the issue involved leads to