(1.) Aforementioned eight writ petitions have been filed by the ex-lessees involving eight mining establishments whose leases, by virtue of statutory prescription contained in Sec. 8A(6) of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 (for short 'the MMDR Act'), have come to an end on 31/3/2020.
(2.) There are in this batch of writ petitions three categories of cases. In the first category are those cases where, after expiry of the lease of the petitioners by statutory prescription under Sec. 8A(6) of the MMDR Act on 31/3/2020, the mining lease area was put to auction and new leases have come in picture. In this category, Writ Petition (Civil) No.26973 of 2020 has been filed by M/s. KJS Ahluwalia wherein the Intervener- M/s. JSW Steels Ltd. is the new lessee. Writ Petition (Civil) No. 27751 of 2020 has been filed by M/s. Kalinga Mining Corporation in which M/s. Jagat Janani Services Pvt. Ltd. is the new lessee. Both the intervenors have contested the writ petitions by filing Intervention Applications. Writ Petition (Civil) No.29311 of 2020 has been filed at the instance of M/s. Aryan Mining and Trading Corporation Pvt. Ltd. In this case also a new lessee has been granted the mining lease but he has not filed any Intervention Application.
(3.) In the second category are the cases in which after expiry of the lease period of the old lessee, the leasehold area has been put to auction and the very same lessees having given the highest bid, have again became the fresh leaseholder. Writ Petition (Civil) No.27672 of 2020 falls in this category which has been filed by M/s.Ghanashyam Misra and Sons Pvt. Ltd. Writ Petition (Civil) No.28141 of 2020 filed by M/s. Serajuddin and Company also falls in this category.