RURAL LITIGATION AND ENTITLEMENT KENDRA DEHRADUN & ORS. vs STATE OF U.P. & ORS.

The Supreme Court directed the closure of lime stone quarries classified in categories (b) and (c) by the Bhargav Committee Report, stating that any existing leases will terminate without liability to the State of Uttar Pradesh. The Court emphasized that any stay orders permitting operations will be dissolved, and pending suits for lease continuance will be dismissed. For quarries classified in category (1) outside city limits, operations may continue subject to compliance with the Mines Act, 1952 and relevant regulations, while a high-powered committee will further investigate the status of quarries in category (B).