R.V. Raveendran, J. - (1.) Leave granted. Heard.
(2.) The Appellants (Indian Oil Corporation Ltd.), issued an advertisement inviting applications for grant of LPG distributorship for Sohawal, District Faizabad, Uttar Pradesh. The Dealer Selection Committee constituted by the Appellants interviewed the eligible candidates and declared a panel of three candidates, on 30.3.2005, in the following order of merit: (1) Guru Shakti Singh (first Respondent); (2) Sardar Mahinder Singh; and (3) Lal Rajendra Nath Singh. As per the said selection first Respondent had to be granted the LPG distributorship.
(3.) The second candidate in the list (Sardar Mahinder Singh) filed a complaint with the Appellants, alleging illegalities and irregularities in awarding marks by the Selection Committee, resulting in the first Respondent being placed as the first in the merit panel. Shortly thereafter, the said Sardar Mahinder Singh filed a writ petition challenging the selection process and the panel of candidates. The said writ petition filed on 4.5.2005, was withdrawn on 18.5.2005. Sometime thereafter the said Sardar Mahinder Singh died.;