VORUGANTI NAVEEN vs GOVT. OF A.P. .

The Supreme Court upheld the High Court's decision that the Government of Andhra Pradesh violated Section 4-A of the Mines & Minerals (Regulation & Development) Act, 1957 and Rule 37 of the Mineral Concession Rules, 1960 by prematurely terminating sub-leases without due process. The Court emphasized that the Corporation had not exercised its right to terminate the sub-leases as per the contractual terms. Consequently, the orders withdrawing permission for sub-leases were deemed invalid, reinforcing the necessity of adhering to statutory procedures in mining operations.