In Brief
Balasore Alloys sought to continue mining and excavation operations under a status quo order despite lacking Forest Clearance, arguing that a pending application for clearance should suffice. The Supreme Court rejected this argument, holding that an application for Forest Clearance cannot be treated as obtaining actual clearance. The Court affirmed the High Court's refusal to extend the status quo order, ruling that mining activities cannot proceed without requisite statutory permission. The petition was allowed to be withdrawn. The Court requested the High Court to urgently decide pending matters involving prolonged status quo orders where mining continued without Forest Clearance, within six months."
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