JUDGMENT :

R. Banumathi, J.

1. Leave granted.

2. This appeal assails an order dated 15.12.2011 passed by the Division Bench of the High Court of Judicature at Patna allowing Letters Patent Appeal No.1457 of 2009 setting aside the order of the learned Single Judge and declining to interfere with the order of the Collector dated 16.10.2008, auctioning Ghurandera Kilagarai Ghat and direction to the appellant-society to deposit the balance bid amount of Rs. 10,80,000/- for the year 2008-2009 for settlement of the said ghat.

3. A public notice dated 16.10.2008 was issued by the Zonal Officer, Alauli for auction of Ghurandera Kilagarai Ghat for the year 2008-2009 in which Reserve Jama was fixed at 33,350/-. Three bidders had taken part in the auction, the highest bidder at Rs. 16,00,100/- by Sushil Kumar and that one Lalan Kumar and Shri Ram Bilash Yadav who also participated in the bid at Rs. 5,00,000/- and Rs. 10,00,000/- respectively. At the time of Dak, the appellant-society which was present there accepted the settlement under protest and deposited one third of the total bid amount. The appellant-society then prayed for recalling the open bid for the year 2008-2009 on the ground that t