( 1 ) THIS is a petition under Articles 226 and 227 of the Constitution in which the facts may be briefly stated. The petitioner owns a plot of land No. 85, bearing Municipal No. 5967, Ward No. 14, in Basti Harphul Singh, Delhi which, he says, he purchased in 1963 for a sum of Rs 26,000. According to his allegations, sanction for the construction of a building on the said plot was accorded by the Delhi Municipal Corporation on 28th July 1984, He later on wanted seme alterations to be made and the same were allowed on 2nd January 1965. After the building had been erected at a cost of Rs. 43,000. 00 On 27th March 1965 the Corporation issued a notice saying that the R. C. C. roof for the purpose of opening excessive basement had been erected without sanction and the petitioner was called upon to show cause against demolition within a period of 48 hours under section 343 (1) of the Delhi Municipal Corporation Act, 1957. (hereinafter called the Act ). On 3rd April 1965 the Zonal Officer of the Corooration issued an order directing demolition of the roof in question. The petitioner says that this notice was delivered to Banwari Lal, his father. No date was written by the recipient