Expired mining sub-lease cannot be extended through writ relief when policy, practicality, and irregularities weigh against restoration.

A writ court should not extend an expired mining sub-lease as a form of specific performance where the relief would be impractical, require re-establishing mining infrastructure for a short residual term, conflict with policy against granting leases to private parties, and risk perpetuating irregularities. Although the dispute had a statutory public law element because it arose from cancellation of sub-leases and withdrawal of consent under the mining regime, the High Court's order restoring mining operations and extending the sub-lease period was set aside. The claim for damages was not decided and was left open for separate civil adjudication.

---

---

Issues: Whether the High Court was justified in extending the expired sub-lease period and directing restoration of mining operations in exercise of writ jurisdiction.

Analysis: The relief granted by the High Court arose out of cancellation of sub-leases and withdrawal of consent under the statutory mining regime, so the dispute was not treated as a purely private contractual matter immune from judicial review. However, once the original sub-lease terms had expired, extending the lease period many years later would be impractical, would require re-establishment of mining infrastructure for a short residual period, would conflict with the Government policy against granting leases to private parties, and would risk perpetuating irregularities already noticed in the record. The claim for damages was not adjudicated and was left open to be pursued separately in a civil suit.

Conclusion: The order of the High Court granting extension of the sub-lease period was set aside, and the relief of restoration was refused.

Final Conclusion: The appeals succeeded only to the extent of rejecting the equitable relief of extension of the sub-lease period, while the question of damages was left open for independent civil adjudication.

Ratio Decidendi: A writ court should not extend an expired mining lease or sub-lease as a form of specific performance where doing so would be impractical, contrary to policy, and would perpetuate irregularities, even though the dispute has a statutory public law element.

---