1. The petitioner participated in the auction held on 19-12-1975 of the right to collect the residual tree growth (fire-wood and timber) from Oil Palm Plantation Coupe No. VIII B after making the necessary earnest deposit. His bid was the highest. He also complied with the condition that a bidder whose bid was knocked down should deposit Rs. 10,000/- or one-third of the bid amount by making the payment as aforesaid on 19-12-1975 itself. His bid was confirmed by the 4th respondent, Conservator of Forests, on 3-1-1976, and he was informed of that on 7-1-1976. Pursuant to the provisions governing the sale in the sale notice, the petitioner sought for extension of time for the payment of the balance amount upto 21-3-1976. According to the petitioner time was granted upto 21-3-1976 as sought for, but according to respondents time was extended only upto 20-2-1976. On 23-2-1976 there was a forest-fire in Coupe No. VIII B mentioned above and according to the petitioner, as a result thereof many trees and much of the residual growth were destroyed or damaged. Ext.P1 is the mahazar in that regard.

2. The petitioner participated in the auction sale as aforesaid pursuant to Ext. R1