MANOHAR LAL SHARMA Vs. PRINCIPLE SECRETARY

JUDGEMENT

(1.) On 25th August, 2014 judgment was delivered in these cases and it was held, inter alia, that the allotment of coal blocks made by the Screening Committee of the Government of India, as also the allotments made through the Government dispensation route are arbitrary and illegal. Since the conclusion arrived at would have potentially had far-reaching consequences, on which submissions were not made when the case was heard, the question of what should be the consequences of the declaration was left open for hearing.

(2.) The relevant paragraphs of the judgment dated 25th August, 2014 read as follows:-

(3.) Accordingly, we heard several learned counsels appearing for a very large number of interveners, impleadment applicants and State Governments. Substantive submissions were made, amongst others, by the Coal Producers Association, the Independent Power Producers Association of India and the Sponge Iron Manufacturers Association. These associations had also been heard on an earlier occasion well before judgment was delivered on 25th August, 2014.