SPS alleges violation of SC orders in mining block auction in Karnataka, files contempt petition

Founder-President of SPS S.R. Hiremath addressed a press conference in Hubballi on September 9, 2026. | Photo Credit: KIRAN BAKALE Samaj Parivartana Samudaya (SPS) founder-president S.R. Hiremath accused the Karnataka government of violating a series of Supreme Court orders by amalgamating areas of cancelled and expired iron ore mining leases into five new blocks, and subsequently auctioning them.Addressing presspersons in Hubballi on September 9, S.R. Hiremath said that the SPS had filed a 548-page civil contempt petition in the Supreme Court against Karnataka Chief Secretary Shalini Rajneesh, Principal Secretary, Commerce and Industries, S. Selva Kumar, and Director of Mines and Geology Rangappa S.The petition concerns the Jaisinghpura North, Jaisinghpura South, Somanahalli, Vyasanakere Iron Ore Mine, and H.R. Gaviappa blocks. SPS has alleged that the State had redrawn the boundaries of Category ‘C’ mining leases cancelled by the Supreme Court, and combined portions of them with expired Category ‘B’ leases, a cancelled Category ‘A1’ lease, and 87.90 hectares of virgin forest land.Mr. Hiremath said the exercise was undertaken without obtaining prior permission from the Supreme Court, despite its orders governing Category ‘C’ mining leases.He cited the court’s April 18, 2013 judgment in Samaj Parivartana Samudaya v. State of Karnataka, under which Category ‘C’ leases were cancelled, and their areas could be allotted only through schemes approved by the court. He also referred to subsequent orders of July 30, 2015, August 16, 2017, and September 13, 2017 regulating auction of such mines.The SPS had relied on the Supreme Court’s April 3, 2024 order, which, it said, required the State to prepare a justification report and approach the court before merging Category ‘C’ mines for auction, he said.Mr. Hiremath said reports of the Central Empowered Committee (CEC), dated April 8 and November 3, 2025, had also raised objections to the process. SPS claimed the CEC had found that although court-approved Category ‘C’ boundaries could not be altered, leases had been split between blocks, and portions of Category ‘C’ areas had been left outside the blocks without rehabilitation and reclamation. This apart, prescribed contribution to the Special Purpose Vehicle had been unilaterally reduced from 25% to 10%, he alleged.Through the plea, the SPS and other organisations have sought punishment for civil contempt, annulment of the amalgamation and auctions, restoration of the status quo ante, and an interim restraint on execution of mining agreements or leases, mining and tree felling in the blocks.Mr. Hiremath said that JSW Steel Limited and Ramalingam Construction Company Limited, identified as successful bidders, had been impleaded as pro forma respondents in the petition because the consequential reliefs sought would affect them. However, SPS has not filed any contempt charges against them at this stage.Mr. Hiremath also urged the Supreme Court to consider a ceiling of 20 million tonnes of iron ore production annually in Ballari, Vijayanagar, Chitradurga, and Tumakuru districts, based on the recommendations of Justice Sudershan Reddy, retired Supreme Court judge and Oversight Authority for KMERC. He said the ceiling was necessary to conserve mineral resources for future generations and uphold the principle of intergenerational equity. Published - September 09, 2026 05:07 pm IST