Judgment

SHINGHAL, J. :- These appeals by certificate or special leave are directed against judgments of the Orissa High Court dated May 15, 1970. February 3, 1971. April 16, 1971. May 7, 1971. September 6, 1971 and March 28, 1974. They arise out of several writ petitions. The facts which gave rise to the petitions changed from time to time largely because of amendments in the law, and that was the reason for the filing of separate writ petitions resulting in the impugned judgments of the High Court, but we have heard them together at the instance of learned counsel for the parties and will dispose them of by a common judgment. The nature of the controversy in these cases is such that it will be enough to state the basic facts for the purpose of appreciating the arguments of counsel for the parties.

2. The Collector of Mayurbhanj issued a notice on February 3, 1970 by which he invited tenders for the grant of licenses for establishing 70 outstill shops for 1970-71. Ajodhya Prasad Shah gave the highest bid for a group of seven shops, in one lot, for Rupees 34,000/- per month. His bid was accepted and his name was entered in the prescribed register, and the entry was signed by the suc