The Orissa High Court in a decision has dismissed the writ petition filed by the State Government and has confirmed the orders earlier passed by the Revision Authority on the Ajun lodha mining case.
A mining lease was granted in favour of M/S Arjun lodha for iron mining over an area of 326.50 hectares in Keonjhar district since 1966. The State Government had stopped mining operation in the mines since 2009 after it was alleged that there was illegal mining of ore outside its permissible area and there was illegal transportation of ore.
A joint inspection and several investigations regarding the allegation were conducted by Forest, Mining and Revenue authorities. The lessee had moved to the Revision Authority against the action of the State Government.
The Revision Authority after careful examination of all documents found no evidences of illegal mining in the Arjun lodha mines and passed orders in favour of the lessee.
The State Government had filed a writ petition challenging the orders in 2012 but failed to put forth satisfactory substantial evidence.
Finally, the Orissa High Court dismissed the writ petition and upheld the orders of the Revision Authority on January 25, bringing relief to the lessee.