Judgment

KASLIWAL, J.:- Special leave granted.

2. This appeal is directed against the judgment of the Patna High Court dated 6th September, 1991. Initially Mohd. Fida Karim and Dasrath Das had filed special leave petition challenging the dismissal of their writ petition, C.W.J.C. No. 2102 of 1991 by a Division Bench of the Patna High Court by order dated 6th September, 1991. In view of the fact by a common decision, the Patna High Court had dismissed many other identical writ petitions, the petitioners in those other writ petitions also submitted intervention applications before this Court and such intervention applications have been allowed. 35 applicants/interveners are also supporting the present appeal filed by Mohd. Fida Karim and Dasrath Das.

3. The controversy in this case relates to the mode of settlement of the right of vend of country liquor, Indian made foreign liquor and spiced country liquor under the provisions of the Bihar Excise Act, 1915 (hereinafter referred to as the Excise Act) and Rules framed thereunder. The Government changed its policy from time to time. Prior to 1984, settlement of country liquor shops was done by renewing the licence according to the sliding