TARUN AGARWALA,J. - (1.) We have heard Sri A.D. Saunders, learned counsel for the petitioners and Sri B.K. Ojha, learned counsel for the Allahabad Development Authority and the learned standing counsel for the District Magistrate and other State authorities.
(2.) The petitioners have filed the present writ petition praying for the quashing of the order dated 12.12.2008 passed by the District Magistrate rejecting the representation of the petitioners. The petitioners have also prayed for the quashing of the notice dated 7.3.2000 published in the Hindi newspaper "Amar Ujala" issued the Allahabad Development Authority and the District Magistrate inviting applications by tender/auction for sale of surplus land of the petitioners. The petitioners have also prayed that a mandamus be issued commanding the respondents not to interfere in the peaceful possession of the petitioners over the land in question.
(3.) The facts leading to the filing of the present writ petition is, that the petitioner No. 1 is a minority educational institution, which is in existence for more than 125 years. Petitioner No. 2 is the Secretary of the petitioner No. 1 institution. The institution is catering to the education of girls from Nursery to Class-12. At present, more than 4000 students are studying in the institution. The institution not only has class rooms, but there is a girls hostel as well as a residence for the Principal, staff quarters, auditorium, laboratories, library, outdoor sports facilities like basketball court, swimming pool and other playing facilities.;