S.J. COKE INDUSTRIES PVT. LTD. ETC. vs CENTRAL COALFIELDS LTD. ETC.

The Supreme Court upheld the legality of the e-auction scheme for coal sales implemented by the Central Coalfields Ltd. under the Coal Mines (Nationalization) Act, 1973, rejecting the challenge by S.J. Coke Industries Pvt. Ltd. The Court clarified that the scheme is valid and does not violate any statutory provisions, thus affirming the High Court's decision to dismiss the writ petitions filed by the Companies. The judgment reinforces the authority of the Central Government to regulate the sale of coal as an essential commodity.