Ranchi, July 19 -- In a significant legal development, the Jharkhand High Court nullified a recovery demand of Rs 534.84 crore issued against Bhagwan Bhagat, accused of illegal mining in Sahibganj district on Friday.
The ruling establishes a precedent regarding administrative jurisdiction under the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 (MMDR).
The Division Bench comprising Chief Justice MS Ramachandra Rao and Justice Rajesh Shankar delivered the judgment in response to a writ petition filed by M/s Bhagwan Stone. The Court noted that the Deputy Commissioner does not possess statutory authority to issue demand notices for penalties linked to illegal mineral extraction.
The notice had been served following a joint survey...