BHARAT COKING COAL LIMITED Vs. STATE OF JHARKHAND

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Heard Mr. Anoop Kumar Mehta, learned counsel for the petitioner, and Mr. Rajiv Ranjan, learned Advocate General appearing on behalf of the respondent-State.

(2.) This matter came before this Bench on 21/1/2026, when learned counsel for the petitioner applied for an adjournment. Although we were reluctant to grant an adjournment, we did so with a view to affording the petitioner an additional opportunity and adjourned the matter to the 11th of February 2026 at 2:15 PM for final disposal, subject to any overnight part-heard matters. Our reluctance to adjourn was because the matter is more than 20 years old, and we had clarified that priority would be accorded to such long-pending matters.

(3.) On the 11th of February 2026, the matter was argued, but the arguments could not be concluded. Therefore, the matter was posted on 18/2/2026 at 2:15 PM under the caption "part heard." On this date, the matter was again taken up. The arguments concluded on this date, and the judgment was reserved.