IN THE HIGH COURT FOR THE STATE OF TELANGANA AT HYDERABAD THE HONOURABLE SRI JUSTICE N.TUKARAMJI WRIT PETITION No.39992 OF 2018

22^nd January, 2026 Between:

Mohd. Ehsanulla Siddiqui and another.

…Petitioner AND The State of Telangana and Others …Respondents

ORDER:

This Writ Petition is filed with the following relief:

“…to issue a Writ, Order or direction more particularly one in the nature of Writ of Mandamus declaring the inaction of the 3rd respondent in acting upon the representation of the petitioners dt. 29.10.2018 seeking to review the Circular No. LO/M8/2745/2006 dt. 06.07.2006 by keeping in view the Circular No. RW/NH-33023/19/99- DO-III dt. 24.07.2013, issued by the 6^th respondent and also keeping in view the present availability of land in the twin cities for establishment of retail outlet as being illegal, arbitrary and unconstitutional and consequently direct the 3rd respondent to forthwith review the said circular and issue a fresh circular and pass......”

2. None appeared on behalf of the petitioner.

3. Heard Mr.D.Pradeep, learned Assistant Government Pleader for Home appearing for respondent Nos.1 to 3.

4.1. The Learned Assistant Government Pleader for Home submitted that, as per the written instructions received, the requisition made by the Divisional Manager of M/s Essar Oil Limited seeking the grant of a No Objection Certificate (NOC) for the establishment of a retail outlet for the sale of petroleum products at Plot No. 1, House No. 8-2-120/117, Survey No. 403, Shaikpet Village, Road No. 2, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad, was duly examined by the competent authority. Upon consideration, the request was rejected, and the decision was duly communicated to the petitioner by notice dated 23.07.2018.

4.2. It was further submitted that, notwithstanding this communication, the petitioner subsequently preferred the present writ petition along with an application seeking relaxation of the departmental norms governing the issuance of NOCs. The said norms were originally prescribed under Circular Memo No. LO/M8/2745/2006 dated 06.07.2006. In response to the petitioner’s request and upon a comprehensive review of the matter, the authorities, taking note of the remarks of the Additional Commissioner of Police (Traffic), Hyderabad, and the proposals suggesting the need to re-examine the prevailing guidelines, constituted a special committee to consider the issue in its entirety.

4.3. Pursuant to the committee’s recommendations, the Government accepted the proposed modifications and consequently issued a fresh Circular Memo No.

HCP/A/A4/0018/2024 dated 28.09.2023, prescribing revised parameters and norms for the issuance of No Objection Certificates for retail outlets dealing in Motor Spirit (Petrol), High- Speed Diesel (HSD), Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), and Compressed Natural Gas (CNG). Therefore, it was contended that the petitioner’s grievance seeking reconsideration of the 2006 circular has been effectively redressed through the promulgation of the new circular, leaving no further aspect requiring judicial intervention. Accordingly, prayed for the dismissal of the writ petition.

5. I have perused the materials placed on record.

6. The petitioner’s principal contention was that Respondent No. 3 had failed to act upon the petitioner’s representation dated 29.10.2018, which sought a review of Circular No. LO/M8/2745/2006 dated 06.07.2006, particularly in light of the subsequent Circular No. RW/NH-33023/19/99-DO-III dated 24.07.2013, issued by the Director General (Road Development) and Special Secretary, Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, Government of India, Parivahan Bhavan, New Delhi.

7. However, the explanation tendered by the respondent authorities clearly establishes that the petitioner’s representation was duly considered, and that the earlier circular of 2006 has now been superseded by the new Circular Memo No. HCP/A/A4/0018/2024 dated 28.09.2023. The new circular comprehensively revises the parameters governing the issua