Judgment

MUKHERJEA, J. :- This appeal with leave is directed against a judgment and order of the High Court of Patna in connection with a writ petition of respondents Nos. 1 to 3 (who will hereinafter be referred to as the "petitioners") by which the High Court quashed and cancelled two leases granted by the State of Bihar in favour of M/s. Bharat Marble Company, a partnership firm and the present appellant M/s. Hindustan Steel Limited. The facts and circumstances out of which the petition arose are as follows.

2. By a registered document dated 11 July 1919 one Kumar Amardeyal Singh, who was the proprietor of Ladi Estate at the relevant time granted a lease in favour of one Pran Kristo Chatterjee. The lease which gave a perpetual Mokarari Settlement was in respect of various minerals including iron ore and related to a large tract of land in District Palamau covering an area of 2227 acres in village Adar and 1303 acres in village Gore. Both the two villages Adar and Gore appertained to Kumar Amardeyal Singh s estate, bearing Touzi No. 130, Survey No. 143 and Touzi No. 161, Survey No. 91 respectively of the Collectorate of Palamau. In 1937 the heirs of the original lessee under the do