BANARSI DASS CHADHA Vs. LT GOVERNOR DELHI ADMINISTRATION

JUDGEMENT

(1.) We granted special leave and heard arguments on the limited question whether "brickearth" is a "minor mineral" within the meaning of that expression as defined in S. 3 (e) of the Mines and Minerals (Regulation and Development) Act, 1957.

(2.) The definition is as follows:

(3.) The submission of the learned counsel for the appellant was that a substance had to be a mineral before it could be notified as a minor mineral pursuant to the power under S. 3 (e) of the Mines and Minerals (Regulation and Development) Act, 1957. He urged that brick-earth was not a mineral and, therefore, it could not be notified a minor mineral.