In Brief
Multiple civil appeals were filed by Chowgule and Company Private Limited, a lessee of manganese and iron ore mines, seeking extension of time to transport minerals from the mines. A key dispute arose regarding when royalty must be paid—at removal or later consumption. The Court held that this substantial legal question cannot be decided in miscellaneous applications in an already-disposed matter. Lessees were granted time to remove minerals subject to payment of royalties, with the quantity determined by Government records maintained in the normal course of duty. Non-removal within the stipulated period would allow the Government to invoke its statutory powers.
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