Summary
The Supreme Court disposed of the iron-ore transportation dispute on the parties’ restricted submissions and subsequent developments, without deciding the wider mining-law questions. Sarda Mines was given until 29 February 2020 to pay assessed dues and furnish the required undertaking. Only after compliance could Jindal Steel lift already mined, processed and royalty-paid stocks, with proceeds deposited in the designated bank-controlled account and non-compliant sales deemed void.
Issues
- On what conditions Jindal Steel could lift and transport the stored iron ore following the subsequent compliance directions affecting Sarda Mines.
Held
- The parties confined oral submissions to conditional entitlement to lift and transport the stock. The Court therefore did not decide the wider disputes, including the proposed interpretation of mining operations and the effect of mineral sales on regulatory requirements. (¶¶ 17, 18, 19)
- Sarda Mines had to pay the CEC-assessed dues and furnish the undertaking by 29 February 2020; only then could it resume mining under the earlier order. Jindal Steel’s right to transport the already mined, processed and royalty-paid dispatch-point stock was conditional on that compliance. (¶ 20)
- Proceeds had to be deposited in the Trust and Retention Account in the State Bank of India’s custody. Failure to comply with the directions would render such sale legally void. (¶ 20)
Result
Civil appeal and all interlocutory applications disposed of with the specified payment, undertaking, transportation and proceeds-deposit conditions; wider legal questions not decided.