NORTH EASTERN COALFIELDS COAL INDIA LTD. vs MUBARAK ALI .

The Supreme Court addressed the legality of the declaration of land as 'Sarkari' under the Coal Mines (Nationalization) Act, 1973, specifically referencing Section 5. The Court established that the appellant, as a lessee and successor of the Assam Railways and Trading Company Ltd., could not have their lease terminated without due process, as they had paid land revenue and were recognized as pattadars. The Court upheld the Single Judge's decision, reversing the Division Bench's order that had set aside the earlier ruling.