Supreme Court of India · 1961-02-10
M/s. BURRAKUR COAL CO., LTD. vs THE UNION OF INDIA AND OTHERS (And connected petition)
- Citation / case number
- SC 1960/66
- Court
- Supreme Court of India
- Petitioner
- M/s. BURRAKUR COAL CO., LTD.
- Respondent
- THE UNION OF INDIA AND OTHERS (And connected petition)
- Bench
- SINHA, BHUVNESHWAR P.(CJ),DAS, S.K.,SARKAR, A.K.,AYYANGAR, N. RAJAGOPALA,MUDHOLKAR, J.R.
Judgment text excerpt
The Supreme Court interpreted the Coal Bearing Areas (Acquisition and Development) Act, 1957, specifically sections 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8, holding that 'unworked land' includes dormant mines and not just virgin lands. The Court ruled that the Act applies to lands that were previously worked but are not currently being mined, thus validating the Central Government's notification under section 4(1). The petitioners' challenge based on Articles 19(1)(g) and 31(2) of the Constitution was dismissed, affirming the Act's provisions regarding mining rights and compensation.