JUDGMENT :

Heard Mr. Gautam Kumar Kejriwal, learned counsel for the petitioner, Mr. Gyan Prakash Ojha, learned counsel for the State and Ms. Kalpana, learned counsel for the Department of Mines.

2. The petitioner is a company incorporated under the Indian Companies Act.

3. The respondent Department of Mines and Geology, Government of Bihar vide notification dated 2887 dated 22.07.2014 expressed its decision to invite tenders for settlement of sand ghats located in different districts of the State of Bihar for the period 2015-2019, which included the sand ghats in Nalanda district as well. The petitioner participated in the tender and having made highest bid in the auction was declared successful bidder for settlement of sand ghats of Nalanda district for the period 01.01.2015 to 31.12.2019. A mining lease deed was executed in Form ‘O’ by the respondent Department of Mines and Geology for the year 2015-2016 and 2017-2018. A team consisting of some officers from the district inspected the mining sites settled in favour of the petitioner. In view of the irregularities found in course of inspection, on the basis of written reports submitted by one Reyazul Haque, Inspector of Mines, three