Archive · 26 Dec 2025
Punjab HC Quashes Stone Crushers' Demand Notices
The Punjab and Haryana High Court has canceled some notices sent to stone crusher owners in Punjab.
These notices asked for large payments because the owners were said to have processed minerals without permission.
The court said the authorities did not follow the correct steps.
They did not tell the owners exactly what they did wrong or give them a chance to explain.
The court also said that the authorities did not properly check and assess the owners' actions before sending the notices.
The judges decided that the notices were not fair and canceled them.
However, the government can send new notices if they follow the correct process this time.
The Punjab and Haryana High Court quashed demand notices issued to stone crusher units in Punjab for processing minerals without permission.
The court ruled that authorities did not follow the mandatory steps of proper assessment and did not provide an opportunity to explain.
The judges stated that the law requires a notice to be served, followed by a reasonable opportunity to be heard, and a proper assessment order before issuing a formal demand.
The court found that no assessment orders were passed under either the 2013 Minor Minerals Rules or the 2023 Crusher Policy.
The bench quashed all the demand notices and appeal orders but allowed the state to start fresh action if it follows due process.
- Who
- Stone crusher unit owners in Punjab
- What
- Punjab and Haryana High Court quashed demand notices issued by the state
- When
- 2024
- Where
- Punjab, India
- Why
- Authorities skipped mandatory steps of proper assessment and did not provide an opportunity to explain
- Court
- Punjab and Haryana High Court
- Judges
- Justice Ashwani Kumar Mishra and Justice Rohit Kapoor
- Year
- 2024
- Rules
- 2013 Minor Minerals Rules, 2023 Crusher Policy
- Violation
- Processing minerals without permission
- Outcome
- Demand notices and appeal orders quashed