The Supreme Court has lifted the ban on khadia (soapstone) mining in Bageshwar district, granting major relief to 29 legally approved lease holders. The court ruled that the Uttarakhand High Court cannot impose a blanket ban on lease holders who are operating within legal parameters.
The matter was presented before the Supreme Court as SLP (C) 23540/2025, challenging the High Court’s 17 February 2025 interim order that continued the stay on mining activities in the district. A two-judge bench comprising Justice Sanjay Kumar and Justice Alok Aradhe observed that the state government had already clarified that irregularities were found only in nine leases, while 29 lease holders were functioning lawfully.
The court stated that imposing restrictions on all lease holders was unjustified as it adversely impacts the state’s economy and affects the livelihood of people dependent on mining. The Supreme Court also granted permission to use machinery according to approved mining plans and environmental clearances. Details of the 29 leases are recorded in Volume 2, pages 352–355 of the petition.
The bench referred to its earlier order dated 16 September 2025, which allowed lease holders to sell previously mined and stockpiled material with proper documentation and applicable royalty or penalty payments. The High Court has been instructed to expedite the hearing of the primary PIL. The case will next be heard on 23 March 2026.
