CHAIRMAN CUM MD IOCL vs SUNITA KUMARI

The Supreme Court ruled that the cancellation of dealership allotments for petroleum products does not automatically entitle the second-ranked candidate to an allotment, especially if the initial allotment was influenced by political connections or extraneous factors. The Court emphasized that such tainted allotments vitiate the entire selection process, thus upholding the principle that merit must prevail in public appointments. The judgment clarifies the legal standing regarding the allotment process under the relevant guidelines and the implications of political patronage.