JUDGMENT

AHMADI, J. :- This appeal by special leave is directed against the judgment of the Division Bench of the High Court of Himachal Pradesh in Regular First Appeal No. 7 of 1970 arising out of Suit No. 11 of 1967. The appellant - original plaintiff - is the second son of late Raja Padam Singh, the ex-ruler of Bushahr State. He filed a suit on 18th Nov., 1964 principally against the Union of India and the Government of the Union Territory of Himachal Pradesh for a declaration of his proprietary rights in about 1720 acres of forest land situate in Khatas Nos. 1and 2, Khataunis Nos 1 to 25 comprising 106 plots, both measured and unmeasured, bearing Khasra Nos. 1, 2, 6, 23, 30, 34, 44, 108, 218, 222, 309, 341, 409, 479, 606, 433, 241, 732/280, 736/394 and 728/402 of Chak Addu, tehsil Rampur, in the present district of Mahasu in Himachal Pradesh. He traced his title to the said lands to a Patta executed by his father on 14th Maghar 1999, Bikrami, i.e. 28th November, 1942 A.D., and to the Order No. 5158 of even date directing corresponding mutation changes. In the said suit Choudhary Gopal Singh & Co., a forest contractor, was added as pro forma defendant No. 3 but no relief was clai