A. S. OKA, J.

( 1 ) RULE. The Respondents waive service. By consent of the learned Counsel appearing for the parties taken up for final hearing forthwith. Contesting Respondents have filed their replies and the Petitioners have filed their rejoinder.

( 2 ) CERTAIN important issues have been raised in this Writ Petition under Article 226 of the constitution of India regarding the procedure to be followed by the Slum Rehabilitation Authority (for short SRA) while considering the Applications made by the owners/ developers/ proposed co-operative societies of slum dwellers. With a view to understand the controversy involved in this Petition, a brief reference will have to be made to the facts of the case.

( 3 ) THE Petitioners claim that the Petitioner no. 20 is a proposed Co-operative Housing Society formed by hutment dwellers residing on plot of land bearing city survey Nos. 522 to 526, 528 to 532, 533 (PT), 534 to 537 admeasuring about 15,600 Sq. mts. situated at village Malad, Taluka Borivali, Mumbai 400 097. The said plot of land admeasuring 15,600 Sq. mts. is hereinafter referred to as the area of the petitioners. An Application was made by the petitioner No. 20 (propose