INDRA NATH MEHTA Vs. STATE OF JHARKHAND

JUDGEMENT

(1.) HEARD Shri Pradip Kumar Prasad, counsel for the petitioner and JC to SC (Mines) for the respondent State.

(2.) CHALLENGE in this writ application is to the order dated 22.5.2007 (Annexure -7) passed by the respondent no. 2, whereby the petitioner's appeal filed against the order dated 15.2.1999 passed by the Certificate Officer (Mines), North Chhotanagpur Circle, Hazaribagh (Respondent No. 3), was dismissed.

(3.) THE petitioner submitted his objection to the notice under the provisions of section 9 of the P.D.R. Act, denying his liability to pay the certificate amount and also informing that he had already deposited a sum of Rs. 25,580/ - in the District Mining Office, Hazaribagh on 15.3.1997 on account of royalty for the bricks manufactured during the year 1996 - 97 and had also deposited a sum of Rs. 25,580/ - on 29.1.1999 towards royalty for the bricks manufactured during the years 1998 -99. In spite of the objection raised by him, the respondent Certificate officer proceeded to issue certificate for recovery of the certificate amount of Rs. 54,055/ - along with interest thereon, from the petitioner.