(1.) . This petition is filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India in which the petitioners have mainly challenged the validity of Regulation 18 of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (Authorizing Entities to Lay, Build, Operate or Expand City or Local Natural Gas Distribution Networks) Regulations, 2008 (hereinafter referred to as the 'Regulations of 2008' for the sake of brevity), on the ground that the same is ultra vires to Articles 14 and 19(1)(g) of the Constitution of India and Section 16 of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board Act (hereinafter referred to as the 'PNGRB Act' for short).
(2.) The factual matrix of the present case is as under:
(3.) Heard learned Senior Counsel Mr. Mihir Joshi assisted by learned advocate Mr. Shamik Bhatt and learned advocate Ms. Rashmi Sapkal for Singhi & Co. for the petitioners, learned Assistant Solicitor General Mr. Devang Vyas for respondent No.1 - Union of India, learned advocate Mr. Utkarsh Sharma assisted by learned advocate Mr. Bomi H. Shethna for respondent No.2 Board and learned Senior Counsel Mr. S.N.Shelat assisted by learned advocate Mr. Aspi M. Kapadia for the respondent No.3.