( 1 ) AT the instance of the parties this application has been heard along with a number of other applications as the facts involved are similar and the questions of law arising are the same.

( 2 ) THE petitioners in these applications are either owners or lessees of or licencees in various plots of land in the State of West Bengal, a number of which have been described as agricultural land in the records of right.

( 3 ) EARTH extracted from the said plots has been used or utilised or is alleged to have been used or utilised for manufacture of bricks either by the petitioners themselves or by persons to whom the petitioners have made available such earth.

( 4 ) THE authorities contend that such extraction, use and consumption of earth were illegal, wrongful and in contravention of the provisions of Mines and Minerals (Regulation and Development) Act, 1957 (hereinafter referred to as the said Act) and the West Bengal Mines and Minerals Rules, 1973 (hereinafter referred to as the said Rules ).

( 5 ) NOTICES have been issued by several authorities namely the Additional District Magistrate (L. R.), or the Sub-Divisional Land Reforms Officer or the Junior Land Reforms