Illegal land acquisition? Usha Martin taken to SC for Kathautia coal block

Company says not flouted any rule; petitioner alleges irregularities in land acquisition

Kolkata-based wire rope manufacturer Usha Martin has been dragged to the Supreme Court for alleged irregularities in land acquisition in Jharkhand. The apex court has issued notices to the company and other respondents including the state government on a special leave petition challenging an order by the Jharkhand High Court.

The matter pertains to alleged illegal acquisition of forest land around the Kathautia coal block in Palamau district. The block was originally allotted in 2003 to Usha Martin, which had begun operating mines there before the hundreds of allocations across the country was cancelled by the Supreme Court in 2014 on