Judgment

CHANDRACHUD, CJI. : These appeals are by certificates granted by the Delhi High Court under Art. 133 (1) (a) and (b) of the Constitution in regard to its judgment dated Feb. 20, 1970 in C. W. No. 712 of 1968.

2. The dispute in these appeals relates to the grant of mining rights in respect of an area situated in the villages of Karanzol and Sonaulim in Goa, the rival claimants being the appellant and respondent 1. Respondent-1 claims preference over the appellant by reason of certain events which happened prior to the conquest and annexation of Goa by the Government of India on Dec. 20, 1961. Before we turn to those events, it would be useful to notice the relevant provisions of the Mining Laws which were in force in Portuguese Goa.

3. During the Portuguese rule, matters relating to grant, transfer and vesting of mining rights in Goa, Daman and Diu were governed by the "Portuguese Colonial Mining laws". Under those laws a person could, in stated circumstances, make a "declaration" in writing stating that "he has discovered a mineral deposit". Such a declaration was called a "Mining Manifest" and the person making the declaration was called a "Manifestor. The object of making a