Oil Companies Tell Kerala High Court
The Kerala High Court on Tuesday, directed major oil companies, including Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL), Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) and Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL), to submit counter-affidavits detailing the dealership agreements which mandate that washrooms at petrol retail outlets be made available to the general public.
The Court questioned whether there is any condition in the dealership agreement that directs them that they should permit the general public.
The Counsel appearing for HPCL and BPCL submitted that “…the dealership agreement do not contain it, but the marketing discipline guideline has a specific clause which allows the toilets to be used by transiting travellers. Transiting travelers would naturally include the public as well…”
Justice C S Diasissued the directions while hearing the writ petition filed by the Petroleum Traders Welfare and Legal Service Society and five other petroleum retailers challenging the attempts made by the State Government and the local self-government institutions to convert the toilets in the outlets into public toilets.
The interim order dated June 17, 2025, which held that toilets in private petroleum retail outlets should not be converted into public toilets, has been extended by one week.
The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gases has suo motu impleaded as a respondent in the petition.
The matter is posted on August 12, 2025.
Case Title – Petroleum Traders Welfare and Legal Service Society V State of Kerala
Case No – WP(C) 9329/ 2025