Judgment

HIDAYATULLAH, C.J.I. (on behalf of himself and V. Ramaswami, G.K. Mitter and A.N. Grover, JJ.):- These are five writ petitions under Article 32 of the Constitution and three appeals against the decisions of the High Courts of Gujarat and Delhi. The writ petitions have been filed by Mr. Manikant Tiwari (W. P. No. 109/68), Mr. Shiv Kumar Sharma (W. P. No. 234/68), Mr. Madhu Limaye (W. P. No. 402/68), Mr. Gulabsanker Amritlal Dholakia (W. P. No. 403/68) and Mr. Node Sadi Rau (W. P. No. 409/68). The appeals from the Delhi High Courts common judgment, 14 May, 1968 on certificate are by Mr. Shiv Kumar Sharma (C. A. No. 2118/68) and Major Ranjit Singh(C. A. No. 1900/68) and the appeal from the decision of the Gujarat High Court is in a writ petition filed by Mr. Maganbhai Ishwarbhai Patel (C. A. No. 1528/68). The Gujarat High Court on 18 March, 1968, dismissed the petition summarily and the appeal is by special leave of this Court. This judgment will dispose of all of them.

2. The several petitioners seek a writ of mandamus or any other appropriate writ or order or direction under Art. 32 of the Constitution to restrain the Government of India from ceding without the approval of Pa