This writ petition is filed with a prayer to quash an order dated November 2, 2016 passed by the Director, Department of Mines and Geology, calling upon the petitioner to pay a sum of Rs. 215.75 Crores, on the premise that the petitioner had raised iron-ore mineral unlawfully.

2. We have heard Mr.Uday Holla, learned senior advocate for the petitioner and Mr. A.S. Ponnanna, learned Additional Advocate General for the respondents.

3. Briefly stated the facts of the case are, on July 6, 1954, a mining lease No.236 was granted in favour of Mysore Stoneware and Potteries Limited (MSPPL) in respect of 640 acres of land in Chikkanayakanahalli Taluk, for extracting manganese ore and kaolin. The said lease was transferred in favour of Deepchand Kishenlal, the petitioner, under a Deed of Transfer and Assignment dated March 21, 1961. The State Government issued a Notification dated June 20, 1962, permitting the petitioner to extract iron ore from the said land.

4. On June 26, 1962, a registered lease deed was executed by the Governor of Mysore in favour of the petitioner leasing the aforementioned land till July 5, 1974.

5. Before the expiry of lease, the petitioner on July 2, 1973 applied