2026:JHHC:16785-DB 1 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JHARKHAND AT RANCHI W.P.(C) No.3890 of 2026 ----- Sunil Agrawal, son of Late B.L. Agrawal, resident of village- Barganda, P.O., P.S. & District-Giridih, Jharkhand. .......... Petitioner. -Versus- 1. The State of Jharkhand. 2. The Secretary, Department of Mines & Geology, Government of Jharkhand, Nepal House, P.O. & P.S.-Doranda, District-Ranchi. 3. The Deputy Commissioner, Giridih. 4. The District Mining Officer, Giridih. .......... Respondents. ----- CORAM : HON’BLE THE CHIEF JUSTICE HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE RAJESH SHANKAR ----- For the Petitioner : Mr. Rahul Kumar, Advocate For the State : Mr. Piyush Chitresh, A.C. to A.G. ----- Order No.02 Date: 11.06.2026 1. Heard learned counsel for the parties. 2. The petitioner challenges the order dated 4th November, 2025 by which his representation for renewal of lease deed for an extended period has been rejected. 3. Upon hearing the learned counsel for the parties, we are satisfied that the rejection is entirely premised upon Rule 28(3) of the Jharkhand Minor Mineral Concession (JMMC) Rules, 2004. This rule provides that the renewal of the mining lease for a minor mineral will commence from the date of expiry of the previous period. 4. Admittedly in this case, the current lease expired on 2nd March, 2022. By this time, the Jharkhand Minor Mineral (Auction) Rules, 2017 came into force. In terms of 2017 Rules, there is no question of granting any further renewals but the leases have to be granted through public auction. Accordingly, there was no scope 2026:JHHC:16785-DB 2 for considering the petitioner’s plea for further renewals or granting the petitioner any extended term. 5. Since, the decision of the respondents is consistent with Rule 28(3) of the JMMC Rule, 2004 and the 2017 Rules, referred to above, we do not find any good ground to grant the petitioner any relief in this petition. 6. This petition is, accordingly, dismissed without any order for costs. (M. S. Sonak, C.J.) (Rajesh Shankar, J.) 11th June, 2026 Sanjay/Rohit Uploaded on 12.06.2026