( 1 ) THE present suit is filed by the plaintiffs against the defendant for recovery of an amount of Rs. 5,70,000 along with pendente life and future interest and costs.

( 2 ) IT is the case of the plaintiffs in the plaint that defendant herein organised a lottery with the name and title of National Sports Raffle. During the course of the same, the defendant issued tickets for general public for its draw which was to be held on 25. 7. 1984 for the denomination of rs. 1/- The defendant declared 20 first prizes of rs. 5,00,000/-" each, 100 second prizes of rs. 50,000/- each, 100 third prizes of Rs. 10,000. 00 each and 3,15,000 other prizes. The plaintiffs purchased a ticket of the said lottery bearing no. A-0042583. The draw, which was to be held on 25. 7. 1984 was postponed and was actually held on 29. 9. 1984. The ticket No. A-0042583 purchased by the plaintiffs was declared to have won one of the cash prizes of Rs. 5,00,000. 00. The plaintiffs, in due course, claimed the prize money through New bank of India, L-Block, Connaught Place and when the said bank presented the ticket to the defendant, the defendant accepted the ticket and kept the same in its custody and