ABRAHAM LUKOSE vs MALLAPPALLY SERVICE CO-OP.SOCTY.LTD. — C.A. No. 2613 - 2615/1998

Case Summary: Abraham Lukose v. Mallappally Service Co-op. Society Ltd. Outcome: The Supreme Court allowed Civil Appeals Nos. 2613-15/1998 and dismissed C.A. No. 2616/1998. The Court set aside the High Court's order directing a fresh selection by the Oil Selection Board for the gas agency allotment, upholding Abraham Lukose's original selection. Each party bears its own costs. Key Facts: Lukose was selected for an Indian Oil Corporation gas agency in Mallappally, Kerala in 1993 and began operations in May 1994. The respondent cooperative society challenged his selection in a writ petition, which the High Court's Single Judge granted, setting aside the selection based on alleged marking irregularities and preference for cooperatives. Both parties appealed the Division Bench's decision. Rationale: The Supreme Court found no grounds to invalidate Lukose's selection, holding that mere variance in marking between board members did not establish mala fides, and preference to the cooperative could only apply if merits were equal—which they were not, as Lukose scored higher marks. The Court found no justification for remitting the case for fresh consideration. This case analysis is maintained by casestatus.in based on publicly available court records.