( 1 ) THE petitioner is a co-operative house building society which is registered under the Bombay Cooperative Societies Act, 1925, as extended to the Union territory of Delhi. Initially all the members of the Society were displaced persons but subsequently some non-displaced persons also became members as they happened to be employees or ex-employees of the Ministry of Rehabilitation or its attached or subordinate offices.

( 2 ). In January, 1960 the petitioner requested the Ministry of Rehabilitation to consider allotment of suitable land to it for purposes of rehabilitation of the members for enabling them to construct residential houses. It appears no action was immediately taken by the Ministry. The petitioner also applied to the Delhi Administration for allotment of 60 acres of land for the aforesaid purpose. The land was agreed to be allotted by the Delhi Admn. and the petitioner Society was asked to deposit some money. The petitioner Society deposited the sum of Rs. 4,25,000. 00 as part payment towards the lease money in respect of 60 acres of land which had initially been agreed to be allotted by the Delhi Admn. The Delhi Admn. , however, allotted only 11 acr