( 1 ) IN this fast growing capital of India, all land which can be used for construction has been acquired by the Government to prevent profiteering by private persons. Government has further adopted the policy of leasing such land only to cooperative housing societies. Thus the only way for any one to get land for house building has been to become a member of such a society. It is important, therefore, both for the members of the public and for the Government to understand properly the law governing such membership and this is precisely what is involved in this appeal.

( 2 ) THE Diplomatic Enclave Extension Co-operative House Building Society Limited (hereinafter called the Society) granted membership to Shri H. S. Puri on 13-2-1959. The latter transferred the membership to his father Shri B. S. Puri on 12-11-1969. When Shri B. S. Puri died on 3-2-1961 the name of Shri H. S. Puri was found in the books of the society as the nominee of the deceased member. On 31-10-1961, the Society informed Shri H. S. Puri that he could become a member if, inter-alia, he or his dependents did not have any plot of land in Delhi. Shri H. S. Puri apparently could not avail of this