M/S. A-ONE GRANITES vs STATE OF U.P. & ORS.

The Supreme Court overturned the Allahabad High Court's judgment which quashed the State Government's order granting a mining lease to the appellant, holding that the High Court erred in directing the District Magistrate to follow Rule 72 of the Uttar Pradesh Minor Minerals (Concession) Rules, 1963. The Court clarified that the amended Rule 72 does not apply to leases granted under Chapter IV, and thus the appellant's lease was valid. The Court reinstated the mining lease granted to the appellant for a period of 15 years, affirming the legality of the State Government's sanction.