( 1 ) BY this writ petition the petitioners, who are the highest bidders in the rental auction of shops/offices conducted by the Delhi Cantonment Board (for short "dcb"), question clause 12 of the terms and conditions of auction under which they are required to deposit sums equivalent to ten years rent for the commercial units for which bids were given by them. The facts giving rise to this writ petition are as under:

( 2 ) DCB construsted a shopping cum Commercial complex known as "kalpataru". The building consists of basement, ground floor, first floor and second floor and has shops, office complex (Cubicles and Hall), Terrace Restaurant etc. In regard to these DCB announced rental auction for July 21, 1994 and July 22, 1994. The interested persons were required to deposit a bank draft of Rs. 25,000. 00 drawn in favour of Cantonment Executive Officer, Cantonment Board, Delhi Cantonment as earnest money before their entry into the auction hall. According to the announcement the terms and conditions of the auction were available in the office of the Revenue Department, DCB and could be obtained on payment of Rs. 100. 00 during office hours on all working days w. e. f.