M/S Kabini Minerals Pvt. Ltd. And Anr vs State Of Orissa And Ors

The Supreme Court upheld the Orissa High Court's decision dismissing the appellants' challenge to the grant of a quarry lease to respondent No.4 under Rule 6(6-a)(i) of the Orissa Minor Mineral Concession Rules, 1990. The Court established that priority for lease applications is determined by whether the applicant has already set up an industry, which respondent No.4 had done by acquiring a sick unit. The Court held that the appellants did not demonstrate entitlement to priority under the relevant rules, affirming the High Court's ruling.