Prior Central Approval Mandatory for Removing Mineral Dumps on Forest Land

sketch of the Bombay High Court
Case
REDI PORT LIMITED AND ORS v. THE STATE OF MAHARASHTRA AND ORS (Bombay High Court, 13-10-2026)
Law
Constitution of India, Maharashtra Land Revenue Code.

Highlights of the Judgment:

  • Detailed analysis of Section 2 of the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980, regarding non-forest use and prior central approval for removing mineral dumps.
  • Interpretation of State ownership over mineral dumps under Section 48(1) of the Maharashtra Land Revenue Code, 1966.
  • Legal principles governing the maintainability of a writ of mandamus and the locus standi of project developers under Article 226.
  • Rejection of ex post facto statutory clearances for forest land diversion.
  • Evaluation of civil court declarations of ownership versus administrative powers of disposal.