AFR HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT ALLAHABAD Smt. Sarita Singh .....Petitioner(s)

Versus State Of U.P. And 2 Others .....Respondent(s)

Counsel for Petitioner(s) : Sr. Advocate, Vijay Kumar Srivastava Counsel for Respondent(s) : C.S.C.

Court No. - 29 HON'BLE ARINDAM SINHA, J.

HON'BLE SATYA VEER SINGH, J.

(Per Arindam Sinha, J.)

1. Petitioner has challenged order dated 19th March, 2026 made by respondent no.2 (the District Magistrate) under rule 28(3) in Uttar Pradesh Minor Minerals (Concession) Rules, 2021 as well as subsequent notification for e-tender-cum-auction dated 20th March, 2026. Petitioner says, she was highest bidder in the auction for mining lease in respect of area under serial no. 15 in e-auction notice dated 17th February, 2026. Reserved price was Rs. 140/- per cubic meter. She had made bid of Rs. 361/- per cubic meter. The entire process was cancelled, purportedly based on opinion formed by the authority. Arbitrariness is contended. Mr. Ashok Khare, learned senior advocate assisted by Mr. Vijay Kumar Srivastava, learned advocate appear on behalf of petitioner. Dr. Rajeshwar Tripathi, learned advocate, Chief Standing Counsel appears on behalf of State.

2. The writ petition was