- (1.) The petitioner seeks quashing of the order dated 30.09.2009 (Annexure P12) whereby his claim for confirmation of sale by way of auction and consequential delivery of possession of land measuring 54 kanals 7 marlas situated within the revenue estate of Village Rana Kheri, Tehsil Gohana, District Sonepat, has been rejected with liberty to take back 25% of the amount deposited by him at the time of auction.
(2.) The facts may be noticed briefly. A big chunk of land including land measuring 54 kanal 7 marla (6.79 acres) within the revenue estate of Village Rana Kheri was acquired by the erstwhile Government of Punjab on March 3, 1961 for the purpose of constructing a brick kiln for the metalling of Butana Canal. However, the State Government took a decision in the year 2004 that the land was no longer required for any public purpose and it was decided to be sold through public auction. A public notice dated 27.06.2004 (Annexure P4) was issued and as per the terms and conditions, the highest bidder was required to deposit 25% of the bid amount at the spot and the remaining 75% within 30 days. The Executive Engineer, Gohana Water Services Division kept his right reserved "to cancel auction partly or fully without giving any reason".
(3.) The petitioner refers to a memo dated 25.06.2004 (Annexure P3) to claim that the Government had fixed Rs.1,20,000/- per acre as the rate of the land to be auctioned though the aforesaid document nowhere refers to the auction which was to be held on 06.07.2004. The petitioner participated in the auction in respect of the land in question and gave the highest bid of Rs.24,70,000/- (total land) and deposited 25% of the bid amount at the spot.;