Patna High Court
Rana SauravversusThe State of Bihar
- Decided
- Disposal
- DISPOSED
- Bench
- RAJIV ROY
Holding
The petition was dismissed pending the petitioners’ appearance before the Mineral Development Officer and the issuance of a show‑cause notice, with the matter to be taken to its logical conclusion.
Summary
Petitioners Rana Saurav and Rana Uday Pratap Singh filed a writ petition seeking a mandamus to quash the blocking of their ID and password for sand storage licenses, to set aside a punitive letter (No. 5645) alleging unauthorized sales, and to restore their licences. They alleged that the action was taken without notice, violating natural justice, and that no sand stock existed at their site. The Mines Department suggested that the petitioners appear before the Mineral Development Officer with a reply or show‑cause. The Court, with the parties’ consent, directed the petitioners to appear before the Officer and ordered the respondent to take the matter to its logical conclusion. Consequently, the petition was disposed pending compliance with this direction.
Issues considered
- Whether the blocking of the petitioners' ID and password without notice violates principles of natural justice.
- Whether the punitive letter No. 5645 directing action against K‑license holders is baseless and unsupported by evidence.
- Whether a writ of mandamus can be issued to restore the petitioners' sand storage licences.
- Whether the alleged unauthorized sale beyond permissible limits applies to the petitioners.
Subjects
- Writ of Mandamus
- Natural Justice
- Sand Storage License
- Mineral Development Officer
- Punitive Action
- Administrative Law
- High Court
Judgment
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT PATNA
Civil Writ Jurisdiction Case No.2795 of 2026
======================================================
1. Rana Saurav Son of Rana Uday Pratap Singh, Resident of Village-
Jaiprakash Nagar Near Bishunpur Nala, P.S.- Dhanbad, District- Dhanbad,
(Jharkhand).
2. Rana Uday Pratap Singh, Son of Rana Ranvijay Pratap Singh, Resident of
Village- Jaiprakash Nagar Near Bishunpur Nala, P.S.- Dhanbad, District-
Dhanbad, (Jharkhand).
... ... Petitioner/s
Versus
1. The State of Bihar through the Secretary, Department of Mines and Geology,
Government of Bihar, Patna.
2. The Secretary, Department of Mines and Geology, Government of Bihar,
Patna.
3. The Director, Department of Mines and Geology, Government of Bihar,
Patna.
4. The District Magistrate, Patna.
5. The Mineral Development Officer, District Mining Office, Patna.
6. The Mining Inspector, District Mining Office, Patna.
7. The Officer-in-Charge, Bikram Police Station, Patna.
... ... Respondent/s
======================================================
Appearance :
For the Petitioner/s : Mr. Prashant Kumar, Advocate
Mr. Manish Kumar, Advocate
For the Respondent/s : Mr. Pankaj Kumar, SC-12
Mr. Kamlesh Kishore AC to SC-12
For the Mines : Mr. Naresh Dikshit, Spl.P.P.
======================================================
CORAM: HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE RAJIV ROY
ORAL ORDER
2 30-04-2026 Heard the parties.
2. The present petition has been preferred for the
following relief(s):
“(i) For issuance of a writ in the nature
of Mandamus for quashing the arbitrary and
illegal action of the respondent authorities in
Patna High Court CWJC No.2795 of 2026(2) dt.30-04-2026
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blocking/closing the petitioner's I.D. and password
appertaining to their sand Storage Licenses
without any notice or opportunity of hearing.
(ii) For quashing the letter no. 5645
dated 07.10.2025, so far as it relates to the
petitioners, by which a direction has been issued to
take punitive action against all K-license holders
for alleged ground of unauthorized sale beyond the
permissible limit is false, baseless, and without
evidentiary support, especially when no stock of
sand existed at the petitioner's site at the relevant
time.
(iii) For issuance of a writ in the nature
of mandamus, commanding and directing the
respondent authorities to immediately restore the
petitioner's I.D and password and allow them to
carry on lawful business under their valid licenses.
(iv) For holding that the alleged ground
of unauthorized sale beyond the permissible limit is
not all applicable in the case of petitioners.
(v) For issuance of such other order or
direction as the petitioner may be found entitled to
Patna High Court CWJC No.2795 of 2026(2) dt.30-04-2026
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in the facts and circumstances of the instant case.”
3. At the outset, learned Spl.P.P., Mines Department
submits that the petitioners should appear before the Mineral
Development Officer, District Mining Office, Patna (respondent
no. 5) alongwith his reply/show-cause, if the notice has been
received by him so that the matter is taken to its logical
conclusion.
4. In that background, with the consent of the parties,
the writ petition stands disposed of with a direction to the
petitioner to appear before the Mineral Development Officer,
District Mining Office, Patna (respondent no. 5) alongwith his
reply/show-cause and the concerned respondent is duty bound to
take the matter to its logical conclusion at an earliest.
(Rajiv Roy, J)
Adnan/-
U
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