P.N.SHINGHAL, J.

(1) THESE ten appeals against two judgments of the High court of Judicature at Patna raise some common questions of law. They have been argued together, and we shall examine them in this common judgment. Civil Nos. 824-827 of 1975 arise out of a common judgment dated 2/01/1975 in a bunch of civil Writ Petition; Civil Appeals Nos. 819-823 of 1975 arise out of a common judgment dated 15/03/1975 in another bunch of civil Writ Petition; while Civil Appeal No. 1105 of 1975 is directed against the aforesaid judgment dated 2/01/1975 by which the civil writ petition giving rise to it was also disposed of by the High court along with the other petitions. Certificates of fitness have been granted for all the appeals. There is no controversy in regard to some of the basic facts and they are quite sufficient for the disposal of the appeals.

(2) A sale notice was published by the authorities concerned for the auction of licenses to open country liquor shops in Singhbhum district with effect from 1/04/1966, including an outstill shop at Bharbharia. Appellant Ayodhya Prasad gave the highest bid which was knocked down in his favour, and he deposited two months licens