THE HON’BLE SRI JUSTICE J.SREENIVAS RAO WRIT PETITION No.15095 of 2025

ORDER:

This writ petition has been filed seeking the following relief:

“For the reasons stated in the accompanying affidavit, it is hereby prayed that this Hon’ble Court may be pleased to issue a writ, direction or order more particularly one in the nature of a Writ of Mandamus, declaring the inaction of the respondents in extending the lease period of the agreement dated 13-03-2024 for de- casting the left-over permitted quantity of sand from the petitioners agricultural patta lands, in pursuant to the Hon’ble Court order dated 24-04-2025 in W.P.No.11377 of 2025, as being illegal, arbitrary and violation of Article 14 and 300 A of the Constitution of India and consequently direct the respondents to extend the lease period of the agreement dated 13-03-2024 and pass such other order or orders as may deem fit and proper in the circumstances of the case.”

2. Heard Sri Satya Sadhan Chalamala, learned counsel for the petitioners; Sri Shanthan Rao, learned Assistant Government Pleader for Mines and Geology Department, appearing for respondent Nos.1 and 2; and Sri Mummaneni Srinivasa Rao, learned Standing Counsel for respondent Nos.3 to 5.

3. With the consent of the learned counsel for the parties, the writ petition is disposed of at the stage of admission.

4. Brief facts of the case:

4.1. The petitioners averred that they are the owners and possessors of the agricultural lands covered by various survey numbers situated at Eturunagaram Village and Mandal of Mulugu District. The petitioners submitted an application on 05.01.2021 before respondent No.2 seeking grant of permission for de-casting sand from their patta lands so as to make them fit for agricultural activities. The District Collector, Mulugu, issued proceedings dated 25.03.2023 by imposing several conditions for de-casting of sand from their patta lands. Challenging the same, the petitioners approached this Court by filing W.P.No.10492 of 2023 wherein this Court, considering the fact that similar writ petition was entertained and an interim order was granted therein, granted an interim order directing the Telangana State Mineral Development Corporation Limited to de-cast the sand from their patta lands.

4.2. Thereafter, respondent No.3 entered into an agreement dated 13.03.2024 with the petitioners for de- casting 1,13,318 cubic meters of sand from their patta lands. However, due to early arrival of mansoon in June, 2024, the sand de-casting operations were stalled after de- casting 46,769 cubic meters out of 1,13,318 cubic meters. It is further averred that the petitioners submitted a representation on 25.11.2024 to the respondents seeking to de-cast the balance quantity i.e., 66,145 cubic meters of sand from their patta lands. Accordingly, respondent No.2 issued proceedings dated 09.01.2025 permitting the petitioners to de-cast the balance quantity of 66,145 cubic meters of sand from their patta lands from 09.01.2025 to 13.03.2025 or till the exhaust of approved quantity, whichever is earlier. However, respondent No.3 has started de-casting operations from 03.03.2025.

4.3. In the meanwhile, the Forest Range Officer, Eturunagaram South Range, has issued notice dated

05.03.2025 directing to stop the sand mining activities. Pursuant to the same, the petitioners submitted a detailed explanation on 10.03.2025 to the Forest Range officer. However, the same was not considered. Thereafter, the petitioners approached this Court by filing W.P.No.11377 of 2025, which was disposed of on 24.04.2025 directing the Forest Range Officer, Eturunagaram South Range, Mulugu District, to consider the explanation submitted by the petitioners dated 10.03.2025. However, the Forest Range Officer has not stated any objection for de-casting the sand from the patta lands of the petitioners. In the meantime, the period for de-casting the sand has expired on 13.03.2025. At that stage, the petitioners submitted a representation before the