A.P. Misra, J.

(1) THE present appeals are directed against the judgment and order of the High Court dismissing the appellants appeal, challenging the order of the District Judge holding that the respondents are owners of the suit land and the grant made by the Government in their favour was in fact a sale and not merely lease or licence to manufacture salt on the suit land.

(2) THE question raised in these appeals is: who is the owner of the suit land, whether the appellant-Union of India or the State Government? This is raised in the land acquisition proceeding, in the context of adjudication of the apportionment of the compensation. In order to appreciate the controversy it is necessary to give certain facts.

(3) ON 22/5/1952 Tehsildar issued a notification for sale of Khajan (Marshy) land on ownership basis through public auction. In the public auction dated 12/6/1952 Hanumanbux Lalchand Mundra offered highest bid and deposited the part amount on the same day towards the price of land. The balance amount was deposited on 26/6/1952. On 5/5/1955 the Collector confirmed the said auction sale. As a consequence, on 25/5/1955 an agreement was exe