RUKMANI BAI GUPTA vs STATE GOVERNMENT OF MADHYA PRADESH BHOPAL& ORS.

The Supreme Court examined the validity of the Madhya Pradesh Minor Mineral Rules, 1961, made under Section 15 of the Mines and Minerals (Regulation and Development) Act, 1957. The Court held that the Deputy Secretary's rejection of the appellant's application for renewal of a quarrying lease was erroneous, as the lease for 'limestone for burning' was valid under the definition of minor minerals in Section 3(c) of the Act. The Court ruled that the appellant's application should have been considered, and the High Court's dismissal of the appeal was set aside, allowing the appellant's claim.