M. VENKATESH Vs. UNION OF INDIA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The 2nd respondent had issued a notification calling for applications for allotment of LPG dealership in various places including Padmanabham Village, Visakhapatnam District. The petitioner was the successful candidate, for the proposed LPG dealership in Padmanbham village, in the draw of lots. Accordingly, a selection letter dated 07.06.2018 was issued to the petitioner by the 2nd respondent calling upon the petitioner to produce necessary documents for processing the application of the petitioner. The documents sought were "Land documents, viz., Documents pertaining to land/godown/showroom in the name of applicant or member of 'family unit' Registered Sale Deed/Gift Deed/Lease Deed (15 years minimum)/Mutation and Government record (Self-attested photocopy of the original)". The petitioner had thereafter received a letter of rejection dated 15.11.2018, wherein it was stated that in the process of verification of credentials it was found that the petitioner did not have any own land i.e. either a registered sale deed or a lease deed for the purpose of setting up a showroom in Padmanabham Village and on that ground his candidature was being rejected. Aggrieved by the said order, the petitioner had approached this Court by way of W.P.No.43215 of 2018, which was disposed of by an order dated 10.12.2018 directing the petitioner to approach the grievance cell of the 2nd respondent Corporation.

(2.) The petitioner approached the grievance cell, which conducted an enquiry into the matter and issued the impugned letter dated 27.02.2019 rejecting the candidature of the petitioner and affirming the earlier rejection order dated 15.11.2018.

(3.) In the impugned order dated 27.02.2019 the grounds of rejection were: