“Supreme Court Rules Against Writ Relief for Clerical Errors in BPCL Dealership Application”
The Supreme Court held that as the advertisement and application form explicitly mandated strict adherence to declared categories without scope for rectification. The Court emphasized judicial restraint in contractual matters, underscoring that public sector undertakings must follow prescribed procedures to avoid arbitrariness. The doctrine of public trust was reiterated, highlighting the State's duty to manage natural resources transparently. The appeal was allowed, setting aside the High Court's order for lacking legal basis and exceeding writ jurisdiction.
Facts of The Case:
The case arose from Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) issuing an advertisement in November 2018 for the selection of a retail outlet dealership, categorizing applicants into Group 1 (those poss...