The court dismissed a writ petition seeking to quash an NOC for a petrol outlet on the basis of personal grievances and misuse of legal jurisdiction.

ORDER

The above writ petition has been filed seeking a certiorari to quash the No Objection Certificate (hereinafter referred as “NOC”) issued by the 3^rd respondent to the 1^st respondent by granting license to them under the Petroleum Rules, 2002, for starting petrol bunk in their premises at S.No.103/10 and S.No.103/11, C.Sathyamangalam Village, Chidambaram Taluk and Cuddalore District classified as “dry land” measuring an extent of 0.33.00 ares.

2.It is the case of the petitioner that he owns properties in the said village and the properties lies between the road and one channel on the North and one channel on South. The southern channel is called as Allur-Santhamangalam channel and these channels receive water from Veeranam Lake, which is the largest lake and perennial one. The petitioner would submit that he dug a bore well with 10 HP Motor near the channel and has also obtained electricity service connection for the same. The petitioner is using the water from the channel and from the bore well for agricultural activities and he is raising three crops every year.

2.1.The petitioner would submit that he has come to learn that the fifth respondent has entered into an arrangement with the first respondent for commencing a retail outlet for petrol and diesel. The fifth respondent had claimed to have obtained NOC for starting a petrol and diesel sales outlet. It is the petitioner’s further case that on 10.07.2025, he had sent an objection to the second respondent and the Chief Minister’s Cell as well and has sent another representation dated 31.10.2025 to the second and third respondents and also to the Sub-Collector and the Tahsildar. Though they had received the representation, the respondents had not proceeded to consider the same.

2.2.The petitioner would further submit that petroleum and diesel outlet cannot be started at any place. The Central Government had issued Notification dated 26.09.2017 with objective of protecting the Environment in which one of the restrictions is dealing with the activities in wet lands and the various activities that has been prohibited which been listed in Paragraph 11 of the affidavit filed in support of this writ petition. The petitioner would submit that in W.P.No.34058 of 2022, this Court has quashed one such allotment and taking note of the fact that the NOC has been given for setting up an outlet close to the channel is against the notification of the Government and also orders of this Court and therefore, the petitioner has come forward with this writ petition.

3.Heard the learned counsel on either side and perused the materials available on record.

4.It has been brought to the notice of this Court, that the petitioner is an unsuccessful applicant for setting up the petrol and diesel outlet of the first respondent which has been now awarded to the fifth respondent and therefore, there is no merits in the case. The Xerox copies of the application form have also been submitted before this Court.

5.A perusal of the said application form would clearly show that the petitioner who has now come forward with this writ petition stating that the setting up of the petrol and diesel outlet is harmful to the environment as it is close to the channel has himself made an application for the very same retail outlet. Therefore, it is crystal clear that the petitioner, a disgruntled applicant has chosen to file this writ petition only to settle his personal scores.

6.The jurisdiction of this Court under the Article 226 of the Constitution of India cannot be misused by anyone and therefore, this writ petition deserves to be dismissed and accordingly, dismissed. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petitions are closed. No costs.