( 1 ) THE petitioners who are 17 in number and claim to be the legal heirs of late smt. Sakina Bai Haji Abdulla, who leased out her land in an extent of 1225 Sq. yds. situated in Municipal No. 10-3-5, mehdipatnam Cross Roads, Hyderabad, to m/s. Esso Standard Refining Company of india Limited [presently M/s. Hindustan petroleum Corporation Limited (for short the Corporation ), have invoked the extraordinary jurisdiction of this court under article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying for the following relief: to pass an order or orders, more particularly, one in the nature of writ of mandamus, declaring the action of the respondent-Corporation in occupying and to be in possession of the premises (land) bearing Municipal No. 10-3-5, Mehdipatnam, cross Road, Hyderabad, belonging to the petitioners, as unconstitutional, arbitrary, illegal and without any authority of law, and violative of Articles 14, 19 (1 ) (g) and 300-A of the Constitution of India, and consequently direct the respondent to hand over the premises to the petitioners, and pass such other order or orders in the interest of justice.

( 2 ) WHEN the writ petition came up for admission, the learned St