In Brief
A widow, Krishna Devi, was appointed as a petrol pump dealership operator by Indian Oil Corporation following a selection process. A rival applicant challenged her appointment before the High Court's Single Judge, who initially dismissed the challenge. The High Court's Division Bench then passed an interim order staying both her operation and that of the rival applicant pending final hearing. The Supreme Court set aside this blanket suspension, holding that interim relief must balance the competing interests fairly. Since the appellant had been lawfully running the pump for over a year, the balance of convenience favoured her. The Court directed status quo maintenance instead and allowed the appeal.
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