* THE HON’BLE SRI JUSTICE N.V.SHRAVAN KUMAR + Writ Petition No.30566 of 2024 % 29.07.2025 # Between:

Veerannagari Laxma Reddy Petitioner Vs.

M/s.Indian Oil Corporation Limited, Rep.by its Chairman and Director, Having its registered office At Indian Oil Bhavan, G-9, Ali Yavar Jung Marg, Bandra (East), Mumbai and another.

Respondents ! Counsel for Petitioner : Mr.R.N.Hemendranath Reddy, Sr.counsel Rep. Mr.Lohit Sannapaneni ^ Counsel for Respondents : Mr.Dominic Fernandes Standing Counsel

1 (2019) SCC OnLine Pat 1225

2 (2020) 16 SCC 489

3 (2023) 19 SCC 1 THE HONOURABLE SRI JUSTICE N.V. SHRAVAN KUMAR Writ Petition No.30566 of 2024

ORDER

The petitioner is aggrieved by the cancellation of his candidature for award of RO dealership under open category advertised on 28.06.2023 being communicated by respondent No.2 vide their communication through e-mail dated 14.10.2023. A consequential prayer is sought to declare that petitioner is fully eligible and qualified for appointment as Retail Outlet Dealer for the location at Sl.No.228 in Indian Oil Corporation Limited notice for appointment of Regular/Rural Retail Outlet dealerships in Telangana advertised on 28.06.2023 i.e., “on LHS from Kallakal to Medchal Bus Stop on NH 44”.

2. Heard Mr.Hemendranath Reddy, learned senior counsel for the petitioners and Mr.Dominic Fernandes, learned standing counsel for Indian Oil Corporation appearing on behalf of respondents.

3. The facts giving rise to file the present writ petition are that on 28.06.2023, respondent No.1 issued a notice inviting applications for appointment of retail outlet dealerships across various locations in Telangana, accompanied by a brochure outlining the eligibility criteria and selection procedure. The brochure classifies the sites into three categories: Corpus Fund Scheme Sites (CFS), Corporation Owned Sites (CC), and Dealer Owned Sites (DC). In respect of DC sites, the Guidelines mandate that the land offered by the applicant must be either owned or held under a registered lease valid for a period of 19 years and 11 months, commencing on or after the date of advertisement but not later than the date of application. In the present Writ Petition, the issue specifically concerns the Guidelines applicable to Dealer-Controlled (DC) sites, under the said category, the Petitioner had submitted his application. 4. The petitioner intending to establish an Indian Oil Corporation's Retail Outlet on NH-44 in Medchal Malkajgiri District, had entered into a registered lease deed dated 26.09.2023 for land admeasuring 1,719.65 sq.mts., in Sy.No.163/2/1/1/1/1, Yellampet Village, for a term of 21 years and submitted an application dated 07.10.2023, bearing Application No.IOC16966701753217 to the respondents, through the prescribed web portal for Retail Outlet Dealership identifying place situated on the left-hand side from Kallakal to Medchal Bus Stop on National Highway 44, which is at Serial No.228 in the Indian Oil Corporation's Notice of Proposal to appoint Retail Outlet dealers in Telangana, advertised on 28.06.2023, by paying a non-refundable application fee of Rs. 10,000/-. The above said location is classified as DC site, hence the mode of selection is by way of draw of lots and that the petitioner was selected by draw of lots. The petitioner was provisionally selected as the sole eligible applicant and was communicated vide e-mail dated 12.06.2024 by the Respondent No.2 and vide another e-mail dated 12.06.2024, respondent No.2 directed the petitioner to remit Rs. 50,000/- towards Initial Security Deposit and upload specified self-attested documents. The Petitioner duly complied with the same and uploaded each and every self-attested document specified therein within the stipulated period of time. Thereafter, vide an e-mail dt.29.06.2024, respondent No.2 informed that their Land Evaluation Committee would visit and inspect the land offered by the petitioner on 09.07.2024 and requested the petitioner to be personally present at the locat