5. On 24th February, 1997 the Collector, Mumbai
Suburban District addressed a notice to show cause
to the Petitioners stating that under the terms of
the original lease dated 28th July, 1964, LIC was
entitled to a one time disposition which was
exercised by the deed of assignment dated 23rd
June, 1970 in favour of Ramkrishna Dalmia. The
lease, it was noted had expired on 31st October,
1985 and the transaction in favour of Petitioner
No.6 of 19th April, 1988 was alleged to be illegal
in the absence of the permission of the Government.
The Collector stated that it was obligatory to
surrender the leased land on the expiry of the term
of the lease. No reply having been sent to the
notice, the Collector addressed a reminder on 27th
March, 1997. Petitioners 1 to 5, the heirs of the
original assignee submitted no reply thereto. A
reply dated 5th April, 1997 was addressed by
Petitioner No.6 to the Collector. In the reply it
was stated that by an indenture of assignment dated
19th April, 1998, the executors of the estate of