Bajri Lease LoI Holders Welfare Society v. The State of Rajasthan
Background
This is an interim order, not a final judgment. The case concerns illegal sand (bajri) mining in Rajasthan. The petitioners hold letters of intent for mining leases that were held to have lapsed under Rule 5(4) of the Rajasthan Minor Mineral Concession Rules, 2017. The State and some landholders filed applications about the Central Empowered Committee's recommendations.
Decision Breakdown
This is an interim order, not a final judgment. The Court approved most of the Committee's recommendations, sent the penalty recommendation back to the Committee to be reworked, and settled disputes about cancelling landholders' leases and how compensation is worked out. The petitioners' own challenge was listed after eight weeks.
Lesson Learnt
There is no final ruling yet on the lapsed mining leases. The Court continues to supervise sand mining in Rajasthan through expert recommendations.