2. THE OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR

DEPARTEMTN OF MINES AND GEOLOGY

KHANIJA BHAVAN, RACE COURSE ROAD

BENGALURU 560 001

…RESPONDENTS

(BY SRI KIRAN V. RON, ADDITIONAL ADVOCATE GENERAL A/W SMT. NILOUFER AKBAR, AGA)

THIS WRIT PETITION IS FILED UNDER ARTICLES 226 AND 227 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA PRAYING TO ISSUE A WRIT OF MANDAMUS AGAINST THE ORDER DATED 04/02/2023 PASSED BY THE RESPONDENT NO.1 IN SL.NO.CI 107 CMC 2021 VIDE ANNEXURE-J & ETC.

THIS WRIT PETITION HAVING BEEN HEARD AND RESERVED FOR JUDGMENT, COMING ON FOR PRONOUNCEMENT THIS DAY, JUDGMENT WAS PRONOUNCED AS UNDER:

CORAM: HON'BLE MR. VIBHU BAKHRU, CHIEF JUSTICE

and

HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE C.M. POONACHA

C.A.V. JUDGMENT

(PER: HON'BLE MR. VIBHU BAKHRU, CHIEF JUSTICE)

1. The petitioner has filed the present petition, inter alia impugning an order dated 04.02.2023 [impugned order] passed by respondent No.1 whereby the petitioner's application under Section 8A(3) of the Mines & Minerals (Development & Regulation) Act, 1957 [MMDR Act], was rejected.

2. The petitioner had claimed deemed extension of the existing mining lease over a land measuring six acres falling in Survey No.63/1 of Thimmapura Village, Mudhol Taluk, Bagalkot District. The petitioner's