IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM
A. MUHAMED MUSTAQUE, SHOBA ANNAMMA EAPEN, JJ.
Kartika Metal Crusher, Represented by its Proprietor Mr. Biju & Ors. - Appellants
Versus
The State of Kerala, Represented by Secretary, Government of Kerala, Department of Mining and Geology & Ors. - Respondents
W.A. No. 728 of 2021
Decided On : 23-01-2023
Fact of the Case:
The appeal was filed against the revocation of a mining lease due to violations and compounding offenses by the appellants.Finding of the Court:
The court set aside the impugned judgment and directed the competent authority to take a fresh decision within a specified period.Issues:
Revocation of mining lease, violation of conditions in mining lease, decision-making authority.Ratio Decidendi:
The decision-making authority to cancel or revoke the license is the Director of the Directorate of Mining and Geology, not the court.Final Decision:
The impugned judgment was set aside, and the competent authority was directed to take a fresh decision within a specified period. EXECUTIVE AUTHORITY'S DISCRETION IN REVOKING LICENSESJUDGMENT :
A. Muhamed Mustaque, J.
This appeal was filed by respondents 6 to 8 and 10 in the writ petition, aggrieved by the judgment of the learned single Judge revoking the mining lease granted in favour of them. The writ petitioner is a local resident. He approached this Court with the writ petition alleging that there were so many violations of conditions in the mining lease and based on the violation, the mining lease granted in favour of the appellants, is bound to be revoked. The learned single Judge heard the matter in detail and after adverting to the violations and compounding the offence by the appellants, came to the definite conclusion that Ext.P12 mining lease is liable to be revoked. This decision is called in question. It is to be noted that this is not a case where any fundamental rights of the petitioner are directly involved in a decision by this Court in the writ jurisdiction. The decision making authority to cancel or revoke the licence is the Director of the Directorate of Mining and Geology, the second respondent in the writ petition. He has not rendered a decision after adverting to the complaint of the writ petitioner. It is not proper for this Court to exercise the power of the primary authority who has to take a decision on the matters of this nature. The second review available to the court to examine the decision cannot be used as akin to primary authority and take a decision thereon. The Executive is the primary authority to take a decision of any complaint related to the violation of the mining lease. The prayers in the writ petition are as follows :
i. To declare that the 8th respondent is not entitled to carry out the quarrying operation in the strength of Exhibit P12 Mining lease.
ii. To issue a writ of certiorari quashing Exhibit P12 mining lease.
2. It is to be noted that this is not a public interest litigation where the writ petitioner who appeared in person espoused the larger cause of the State. Anyway, on that point the primary authority having not bestowed the attention in a decision making process, it was not proper for this Court to directly involve and revoke the lease. We are of the view that the impugned judgment of the learned Single Judge has to be set aside to pave way for consideration by the competent authority, untrammelled by the findings and the observations in the impugned judgment by the second respondent. The second respondent, after hearing both sides, will have to take a fresh decision in accordance with law. Such decision shall be taken within a period of two months. We also direct the parties to appear before the second respondent on 06.02.2023. Accordingly, the impugned judgment is set aside. We make it clear that a decision shall be taken by the second respondent untrammelled by any observations and findings in the impugned judgment. It is submitted that the mining lease would expire on 16.02.2023. It is open for the second respondent to consider the request for renewal of the lease in accordance with law. The appeal stands disposed of as above. No costs.
AI
The court emphasized the importance of adhering to lease conditions and highlighted that sympathy or mercy cannot override the terms and conditions of a lease agreement.
Cancellation of mining lease without notice violates principles of natural justice; the court will not intervene when administrative processes are pending.
State Government framed the Rajasthan Minor Mineral Concession Rules, 2017.
The court emphasized the necessity for authorities to follow procedural rules before canceling mining leases, allowing alternative penalties rather than outright cancellations.
Mining Lease approvals were revoked due to the petitioners' failure to comply with statutory requirements, rendering prior approvals void.
An authority cannot adjudicate a matter it has previously decided, emphasizing the importance of jurisdiction in administrative law.
Once the terms and conditions of a lease are accepted, the party cannot challenge them. The application of statutory provisions, such as Rule 9(1) of the JMMC Rules, must be adhered to in determining....
Rule 18 (21) of Rules, 1986, which provide for alternate consequences of breach of conditions of lease.
An order passed against a deceased person is a 'nullity', and alternative remedies may be explored under changed mineral classifications, with the Competent Authority empowered to condone delay in fi....
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