HYDERABAD ABRASIVES & MINERALS vs STATE OF A.P. .

The Supreme Court upheld the Andhra Pradesh High Court's ruling that mining leases granted to non-tribals in scheduled areas are void under Section 3 of the Andhra Pradesh Scheduled Areas Land Transfer Regulation, 1959, as the term 'person' includes the Government. The Court also affirmed that mining activities in protected forest areas require prior approval from the Central Government under Section 2 of the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980, which was not obtained in this case. Consequently, the leases were declared illegal and the High Court's decision was upheld.