2011 INSC 0806
                             SUPREME COURT OF INDIA

                                          Govt. of A.P.

                                                Vs.

                           Obulapuram Minig. Company P. Ltd.

             (S.H. Kapadia, C.J.I., Aftab Alam and Swatanter Kumar JJ.)

                                           29.07.2011

                                         JUDGMENT

1. In continuation of our earlier Orders dated 29th April, 2011, and 6th May, 2011,
we are of the view that mining operations and transportation in an area ad-
measuring approximately 10,868 hectares in Bellary District be immediately
suspended till further orders. We are satisfied that, on account of over-exploitation,
considerable damage has been done to the environment. We are taking a holistic
view of the matter. We have suspended these operations keeping in mind the
precautionary principle, which is the essence of Article 21 of the Constitution. [See
M.C. Mehta v. Union of India and Ors., reported in : 2009 (6) S.C.C. 142].

2. The matter shall stand over for one week.

3. In the meantime, we direct Ministry of Environment and Forest ['MoEF', for
short] to submit an interim Report indicating what is the requirement of Steel
Industry in India as far as iron ore is concerned. Secondly, out of the total
requirement of the Steel Industry in the Country, how much is met by the Bellary
mines. Lastly, how much of the quantity of iron ore is domestically required and
internationally exported The MoEF will obtain this requisite information from the
Ministries of Mines, Steel and Commerce.

4. The Secretary, MoEF, will immediately convene a meeting of the Secretaries of
the concerned Ministries and furnish a Report within a week.

5. We further direct CEC to submit a Report on Environment Impact Assessment
on account of mining in Tumkur and Chitradurga Districts within a period of three
weeks.

Law Information Center  1  SpotLaw
6. Affidavits filed by parties are taken on record.

Law Information Center  2                            SpotLaw