Judgment

IMAM, J. : This is an appeal from the judgment of the Nagpur High Court dismissing the appellant s petition under Arts. 226 and 227 of the Constitution of India. The High Court certified under Art. 132(1) of the Constitution that the case involved a substantial question of law as to the interpretation of the Constitution. Hence the present appeal.

2. The appellant was the Ruler of the State of Bastar. After the passing of the Indian Independence Act, 1947 the appellant executed an Instrument of Accession to the Dominion of India to August 14, 1947. Thereafter, he entered into an agreement with the Dominion of India popularly known as "The Stand Still Agreement". On December 15, 1947 he entered into an agreement with the Government of India whereby he ceded the State of Bastar to the Government of India to be integrated with the Central Provinces and Berar (now the State of Madhya Pradesh) in such manner as the Government of India thought fit. Consequently the Government in India came to have exclusive and plenary authority, jurisdiction and powers over the Baster State with effect from January 1, 1948.

3. The Legislature of the State of Madhya Pradesh passed the Madhya Prades