Authority: Supreme Court of India
Order Date: 07-09-2026
Case Overview
- Petitioners: M/S. MSPL Limited (Petitioner)
- Respondents: The State of Karnataka & others (Respondents)
- SLP No.: 31017/2026 (arising from impugned final judgment dated 29-07-2026 in WP No. 6690/2023 of the High Court of Karnataka, Bengaluru)
- The dispute stems from a notice dated 03‑06‑2022 issued by the Deputy Director, Department of Mines and Geology, Hosapete, directing MSPL not to convert ore of size +10 mm (Lumps) to –10 mm (Fines) and to maintain status‑quo for already processed fines amounting to approximately 5,957 MT.
- The High Court quashed the notice on the grounds that it was issued without proper authority, thereby setting aside the prohibition.
- MSPL contended that despite the quashing, the proviso to Rule 39(1) of the Amendment Rules was being applied retrospectively to legacy Run‑Of‑Mine (ROM) ore accumulated on the leased area from 2022 onward, which they argued should not apply.
- The Supreme Court examined the interpretation of the proviso to Rule 39(1) and the factual matrix of the case.
Final Outcome
- The Supreme Court did not interfere with the High Court’s interpretation of the proviso to Rule 39(1).
- However, recognising the peculiar facts, the Court directed that MSPL be given liberty to make a representation to the Department of Mines and Geology regarding the applicability of the proviso to the legacy ROM lying on the leased area from 03‑06‑2022.
- The Court stated that any such representation will be considered on the specific facts of the case and in accordance with law.
- The State may, if necessary, conduct a survey of the legacy ROM on the leased area to aid its consideration.
- The Special Leave Petitions are disposed of in the aforesaid terms.
Topics: Mining Regulation, Legal Proceedings