( 1 ) IN this petition the petitioners, in effect, seek direction to the first respondent Municipal Corporation, of-Delhi (for short the MCD ) to extend, under S. 341 of the Delhi Municipal Corporation Act, 1957 (for short the Act ), the period of their building plan sanctioned earlier in a certain group housing scheme. The second respondent was at the relevant time Commissioner of the first res- pondent and had refused extension of the period. He has been impleaded as a party as his act of refusal termed as mala fide.

( 2 ) DURING the pendency of this petition, respondents Nos. 3 to 15 were impleaded as partics by order dated 21-9-1981. Respondent No. 3 is the association of respondents Nos. 4 to 15. The petitioners, as owners of the group housing scheme, had earlier sold various buildings, numbering 18, to respondents Nos. 4 to 15 and others, who later formed themselves into an association under the name of the third respondent. We will collectively describe these respondents as the association . These respondents are opposing the grant of any extension of time.

( 3 ) SHORN of unnecesary details, facts may be stated in brief. Standing Committee of