M/S ASHOKA SMOKELESS COAL IND.P.LTD.&ORS vs UNION OF INDIA .

The Supreme Court addressed petitions from industrial undertakings challenging the E-auction scheme for coal sales by Coal India Ltd. and its subsidiaries, which resulted in higher prices than the notified rates. The Court held that the petitioners were entitled to coal supply at the notified price, provided they executed indemnity bonds and submitted undertakings to cover any price differences if the petitions were unsuccessful. The interim orders of various High Courts requiring bank guarantees or cash payments were scrutinized, leading to the Court's directive for coal supply based on linkage at the notified price.