New Delhi: Justice Siddharth Mridul LPG dealership has become a major national issue after reports claimed that the former Delhi High Court judge continued to be linked with a Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) LPG dealership during his time in office. The case has raised serious questions about judicial ethics, conflict of interest, and whether constitutional court judges should have business connections while serving on the bench.
The controversy has also led to action by BPCL, which suspended the dealership after issuing several notices. Here is everything you need to know in simple and easy English.
What Is the Justice Siddharth Mridul LPG Dealership Controversy
Former Delhi High Court judge and former Chief Justice of the Manipur High Court, Justice (Retd.) Siddharth Mridul, is facing scrutiny over his connection with an LPG distributorship named Kitchen Flame. According to reports, the dealership remained in his name while he served as a judge and later as the Chief Justice of the Manipur High Court. The issue became public after BPCL received a complaint alleging that the dealership owner had previously served as a constitutional court judge.
Why Is This a Serious Issue
Judges of constitutional courts are expected to remain completely independent. They are generally required to avoid business activities or financial interests that may create a conflict of interest or reduce public trust in the judiciary. This is why the reported continuation of the LPG dealership has attracted attention.
BPCL LPG Dealership Was Renewed Multiple Times
Reports say the Kitchen Flame LPG dealership agreement with Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) was renewed several times. The renewals reportedly took place in:
- August 25, 1995
- August 24, 2005
- August 23, 2010
- August 25, 2015
- May 7, 2025
- September 2025
The latest agreement is reportedly valid until August 24, 2030. According to the report, the agreement carried Justice Mridul’s photograph and signature.
BPCL Sent Several Notices
BPCL said it received a public grievance complaint in December 2025. The company then sent letters on January 30 and February 26, 2026, asking for an explanation.
Later, on May 29, 2026, BPCL issued a formal notice stating that continuing the LPG dealership during judicial service could violate the dealership agreement. The company also said prior written permission was required if a dealer accepted full-time employment.
BPCL Suspended the LPG Dealership
BPCL said no reply was received to its notices. As a result, the public sector oil company suspended the Kitchen Flame LPG dealership on July 6, 2026. The suspension followed the company’s internal review of the dealership agreement and related documents.
Ownership Dispute Reached Delhi High Court
The case also involves an ownership dispute. Monika Yadav, widow of Deepak Yadav, who managed the LPG agency, approached the Delhi High Court seeking transfer of the dealership in her name. She later filed another petition after BPCL suspended the dealership, claiming that the company had delayed taking a decision despite earlier court directions.
Who is Justice Siddharth Mridul
Justice (Retd.) Siddharth Mridul is a prominent Indian jurist and former Chief Justice of the Manipur High Court. Over a career spanning nearly four decades, he served extensively as an advocate and a judge, primarily within the Delhi High Court.
Early Life and Education
Born on November 22, 1962, Justice Mridul comes from a family with deep legal roots. His father, the late Pushp Raj Mridul, was a distinguished Senior Advocate and a former Additional Judge of the Bombay High Court. He grew up alongside his younger sister, the well-known Bollywood actress Sandhya Mridul.
Following his father’s sudden passing in 1984, an undergraduate Siddharth took on the responsibility of guiding his family while pursuing his career in law. He completed his schooling at the Army Public School, graduated with a B.A. (Hons.) in History from Hindu College in 1983, and earned his LL.B. from the Campus Law Centre, University of Delhi, in 1986.
Legal Career
Justice Mridul enrolled with the Bar Council of Delhi in July 1986. As an advocate, he maintained a highly varied practice appearing before the Delhi High Court, other state High Courts (including Bombay, Rajasthan, and Karnataka), and various national tribunals.
- Bar Leadership: He was elected as a member of the Bar Council of Delhi for two terms (1992–1998 and 1998–2003), eventually serving as its Honorary Secretary and Vice Chairman.
- Standing Counsel: In 2004, he was appointed Standing Counsel for the Union of India, followed by a promotion to Senior Panel Counsel in 2006.
- Senior Advocate: He was designated as a Senior Advocate in May 2006.
Judicial Career & Notable Rulings
Justice Mridul was elevated to the bench as an Additional Judge of the Delhi High Court on March 13, 2008, and became a Permanent Judge on May 26, 2009. During his 15-year tenure at the Delhi High Court, he authored several highly cited judgments across civil, constitutional, and criminal matters:
- P K Dash v. Bar Council of Delhi (2016): Contributed to the “One Bar, One Vote” principle, aimed at restoring integrity to Bar Association elections by restricting multi-association voting.
- Shadab Khairi v. State (2018): Affirmed the rights of senior citizens, ruling that they are legally entitled to evict adult children from self-acquired property in cases of ill-treatment or non-maintenance.
- Public Safety and Bail: He headed the division bench that presided over high-profile cases concerning public order, including the dismissal of bail pleas tied to the 2020 Delhi Riots cases.
On October 20, 2023, he was sworn in as the 7th Chief Justice of the Manipur High Court, taking office during a sensitive period of ethnic and civil unrest in the state. He served in this role for 13 months until his official retirement on November 21, 2024.
Why This Case Matters
This case is important because it raises questions about:
- Judicial ethics
- Conflict of interest
- Transparency in public office
- Business interests of constitutional court judges
- Public confidence in the judiciary
Legal experts believe such cases increase public discussion about accountability and ethical standards in India’s higher judiciary.
Has Justice Siddharth Mridul Responded
According to the information available in the report, no public response from Justice Siddharth Mridul was mentioned regarding BPCL’s notices. The matter remains under public and legal attention.
