A.D.Koshal, J.

1. A shop designated as No. 1254 and located in Samana town which belonged to the compensation pool was auctioned by the District Rent and Managing Officer, Patiala, on the 9th of June, 1961. The highest bid, which was for Rs. 2200/- was made by the respondent to whom the District Rent and Managing Officer issued a letter dated July 13, 1961 (Exhibit A/2) informing him that his bid had been accepted and that after making allowance for the amount of Rs. 220/- received as earnest money, a sum of Rs. 1980/remained due from him which he was required to pay in the form of deposit in a Government treasury or by adjustment of any admissible claims, within 15 days of the receipt of the letter, which further stated that if the respondent failed to pay the balance of the purchase price within the time stipulated the earnest money already paid by him would stand forfeited under rule 90(14) of the Displaced Persons (Compensation & Rehabilitation) Rules, 1955 (hereinafter referred to as the Rules), and that the respondent would have no claim to the property. On the 28th of August, 1961, the petitioner who had been for years in occupation of the property in dispute as an a