JUDGMENT

Sema, J.-

PREFACE

1. "My son, do not forget my law, but let your heart keep my commands. Let not justice and truth forsake you, bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart."

2. Writ Petition No. 216/1999 has been filed by a public spirited person in the form of Public Interest Litigation (PIL) inter-alia challenging the allotment of Government land in Salt Lake City, Calcutta from the discretionary quota of the Chief Minister. A writ in the nature of mandamus was specifically prayed for quashing of the allotments of Government Land, stated to be made unconstitutionally, illegally, arbitrarily, whimsically, capriciously with malafide motive and in clandestine manner and/or in colourable and arrogant exercise of power, being violative of Article 14 of the Constitution.

3. In the original petition, the allottees of the land were not arrayed as party respondents. I.A. No.2 was filed for impleadment of respondent Nos. 8 to 38. However, by our order dated 13.11.2003 we allowed only the impleadment of respondent No. 24- Justice B.P. Banerjee as party respondent. The order reads:

"Mr. A.K. Ganguli, learned senior counsel started his arguments at 10.35 A.M. and con