K.T. Varghese & Ors vs State Of Kerala & Ors

The Supreme Court upheld the validity of conditions imposed on the renewal of mining licenses under the Kerala Minor Mineral Concession Rules, 1967, and the Mines and Minerals (Regulation and Development) Act, 1957. The Court ruled that the State Government has the authority to impose such conditions, including restrictions on sales for agricultural purposes and within the State, as they are within the regulatory framework. The appeal was dismissed, affirming the High Court's decision that the conditions were legally sanctioned and did not constitute discrimination against individual licensees compared to Co-operative Societies.