Tata Steel Ltd scored a legal victory on Tuesday after the Orissa High Court quashed demand notices totalling over ₹4,313 crore raised against the company over alleged shortfalls in chromite ore dispatch from its Sukinda mine in Odisha. The stock touched a 52-week high of ₹218.24 on the NSE during Tuesday’s session, up 1.47 per cent to ₹216.40.

The Orissa High Court pronounced its judgement on April 20, 2026, which Tata Steel received on April 27.

The dispute stemmed from two demand letters issued by the Deputy Director of Mines, Jajpur. The first, dated July 3, 2025, raised a demand of ₹1,902.72 crore for the fourth year of the Mine Development and Production Agreement (July 2023–July 2024). The second, dated October 3, 2025, demanded ₹2,410.89 crore for the fifth year (July 2024–July 2025). Both cited alleged violations of Rule 12A of the Minerals Concession Rules, 2016. Tata Steel had challenged both through separate writ petitions before the High Court.

In its ruling, the court held that penal provisions introduced under sub-rules 1A, 1B, and 1C of Rule 12A, effective July 1, 2021, cannot be applied retrospectively. It also ruled that the Mining Plan takes precedence over the Mine Development and Production Agreement in cases of inconsistency, and that demand notices contrary to these conclusions stand quashed.

Tata Steel stated it believes both demand letters now stand quashed to the extent they conflict with the court’s directions. The company has not indicated whether authorities plan to appeal the ruling.

Tata Steel shares have gained nearly 52 per cent over the past year on the NSE, significantly outperforming the Nifty 50’s 0.77 per cent decline over the same period.

Published on April 28, 2026