1. The action of the Patna Regional Development Authority (hereinafter called the P.R.D.A.) and its Officers in demolishing a retail petrol outlet of the petitioner Company situated on a plot of land which was given to the petitioner Company on lease by the Patna Womens College, Patna (hereinafter called the said College) is the subject-matter of challenge in both the writ petitions, one of which is filed by the petitioner Company and the other by its dealer. Since common questions are involved, both the writ petitions were heard analogously and are governed by this common judgment.

2. The material facts of the case are detailed hereinbelow : Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (for short called the petitioner Company) is a Government of India undertaking and is a Government Company within the meaning of the Companies Act having its registered office at Bombay and one of its regional office at Boring Canal Road, Patna. The petitioner Company is, inter alia, engaged in the business of manufacture and sale of petrol and petroleum products through different outlets situate at various locations in the country. The said Petrol pump is one such retail petrol outlet, situated