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The Supreme Court on Friday issued notice in a Public Interest Litigation seeking direction to the Government to completely ban the export of iron ore including all its forms whether pellets or otherwise.

A bench of the Chief Justice of India NV Ramana, Justice Surya Kant and Justice Hima Kohli has asked the Government to file its reply in the matter pertaining to the issue of imposing a ban on the export of iron ore.

The petition filed by Common Cause through Advocate Prashant Bhushan stated, "the instant case deals with the mining companies illegally exporting huge quantities of iron ore in pellet form by avoiding the mandatory 30% export duty that is levied on iron ore exports, thereby, causing huge loss to the public exchequer worth thousands of crores of rupees as well as resulting in shortage of iron ore supply to the domestic steel industry."

The PIL has further submitted, "as a result of the said illegal export of iron ore pellets (raw materials) by the mining companies, more and more mining activities will have to be taken up in order to meet the rising demand of iron ore by domestic steel industry, which will cause adverse affect on the environment."

Bhushan submitted that the issue is regarding the export of iron ore and the same shall not be allowed due to scarcity of the same. "Though the government says that we have imposed an export duty of 30%, but the companies are exporting it in pellet form without paying any duty," Bhushan added.

The Court while issuing notice said that we'll consider the prayers and has asked the Central Government to file its counter.

However, Advocate ML Sharma objecting to the petition submitted that "Milords, I'm a caveat in the matter, he has stolen my petition, this is his practice, I spend my money and efforts."

In relation to this Sharma had already filed a petition in which the Court has also issued notice. 

Chief Justice Ramana said, "We have already issued notice on your petition, what do you want Intellectual Property protection? This is not your case."

Later, Chief Justice further added, "Mr Sharma we respect you, it is a Public Interest Litigation, it has nothing to do with you, he is only supporting your cause."

The bench has posted the matter for further hearing after 4 weeks.

Case Title: Common Cause Vs. Union of India And Ors.