THE HON’BLE MR JUSTICE L. NARASIMHA REDDY Writ Petition No.5374 of 2011 ORDER: The Indian Oil Corporation, the 1st respondent herein, issued an advertisement on 27.07.2009, inviting applications for selection of a dealer to run Kisan Seva Kendra at Vayalpadu. It was reserved in favour of Physically Handicapped (Woman) category. The petitioner and several others applied. The respondent selected the petitioner and issued a letter of intent on 25.02.2010. However, through letter, dated 17.12.2010, the Senior Divisional Retail Sales Manager, the 4th respondent herein, has withdrawn the letter of intent, alleging that the certificate produced by the petitioner, in proof of her physically handicap, was found to be not a genuine one. The petitioner challenges the letter, dated 17.12.2010. She contends that no notice was issued to her, before cancelling her letter of intent, and that the allegations made against her are not correct. Heard Sri Meher Chand Noori, learned counsel for the petitioner, and Sri T.Srinivas, learned Standing Counsel for the Corporation. The respondents found the petitioner to be fit for being selected as dealer, and accordingly, issued a letter of intent. It appears that some complaints were received by the respondents about the genuinity of the certificate produced by the petitioner. The respondents have undertaken enquiry and investigation on their own accord, without any reference to the petitioner, and arrived at the conclusion that the certificate produced by her, in proof of her physically handicap, is not genuine. The procedure adopted by them is totally illegal. With the issuance of a letter of intent, valuable rights have accrued to the petitioner. They can be taken away only by conducting an enquiry in accordance with law. Giving an opportunity of being heard to the petitioner is the minimum requirement under law. The impugned letter is violative of principles of natural justice. Hence, the Writ Petition is allowed and the impugned letter is set aside. It shall be open to the 4th respondent to issue a notice to the petitioner duly supplying the material relied upon by them and pass fresh orders after considering the explanation that may be offered by the petitioner. There shall be no order as costs. _____________________ L. NARASIMHA REDDY, J. Dt.04.03.2011. GJ