N.P.SINGH, J.

1. The petitioners have questioned the validity of the settlement of a tank known as "Lal Pokhar Sahasupan" within the Darbhanga Municipal Corporation in favour of respondent Nos.8 to 11 (hereinafter referred to as the respondents). The petitioners and the respondents are fishermen and members of Bakerganj Fishermen Co-operative Society Limited, Darbhanga (hereinafter referred to as the Society).

2. An advertisement was published in the newspapers by the Chief Executive Officer, Fish Farmers Development Agency, Darbhanga (hereinafter referred to as Agency) inviting application from persons engaged in fishing for settlement of the aforesaid for a period of ten years with effect from 1-4-1985, in accordance with the terms and conditions laid down in Revenue Department letter No. 272 dated 11-2-1985. Pursuant to that advertisement applications on behalf of the petitioners as well as the respondents were filed. The Chief Executive Officer of the Agency recommended settlement in favour of the respondents. The recommendation of the Chief Executive Officer was placed before the selection committee which approved the suggestion aforesaid. The petitioners filed an obje