D. N. ROY AND S. K. BANNERJEE AND ORS. vs STATE OF BIHAR AND ORS.

The Supreme Court held that the Central Government's order dated November 5, 1964, which set aside the mining lease granted to the appellant, was invalid as it did not provide the appellant with an opportunity to contest the suo motu exercise of power. The Court clarified that the two prayers made by the 5th respondent were interconnected and that the Central Government had previously dismissed the entire application as time-barred under Rule 54 of the Mineral Concession Rules, 1960. Consequently, the appeal was allowed, and the order of the Central Government was set aside.