By the Court.—Heard M.C. Chaturvedi, learned counsel for the petitioner assisted by Sri Ashish Malhotra.

2. This writ petition in the nature of public interest petition has been filed challenging the directions, issued under letter dated 28.3.2016 of the Principal Secretary, respondent No. 2 as well as the order dated 29.3.2016 passed by respondent No. 4 permitting respondent Nos. 6 & 7 to lift the auctioned sand by extending the period for such lifting beyond the term as fixed under the conditions of auction/agreement on the plea that certain period could not be utilized for lifting for various reasons.

3. The ground of challenge is that the very conduct of auction of the seized minor minerals on 29.6.2015 by the District Magistrate was an illegal act, without authority of law being in teeth of the judgment and order of the High Court in Writ Petition No. 11489 of 2015 (Rajendra Singh v. State of U.P. and others) decided on 10.3.2015.

4. Facts in brief relevant for consideration of the interim application are as follows :

Certain quantity of minor minerals were seized by the District Administration of District Saharanpur on 12.11.2014 and 30.12.2014.

5. According to the Di