THE HON’BLE SRI JUSTICE L.NARASIMHA REDDY WRIT PETITION No.6578 of 2009 ORDER: The Gram Panchayat, Pakala, Chittoor District, the fifth respondent herein, conducted auction of leasehold rights in respect of weekly shandi, daily market, slaughter house, usufruct of tamarind and coconut trees, etc., on 07.03.2009. Sri Hari Prasad emerged as the highest bidder for a sum of Rs.2,12,300/-. Clause (a) of the Auction Notice provides for submission of an offer of 10% over and above the highest bid within 24 hours from the date of auction. The petitioners intended to avail the benefit under the said Clause. 08.03.2009 was Sunday and on 09.03.2009, they submitted representations to the District Collector, Chittoor and the District Panchayat Officer, Chittoor, respondents 2 and 3 respectively, proposing to pay 10% over and above the highest bid. They enclosed demand drafts also for Rs.3,45,000/-. Their grievance is that their offer was not accepted. Heard the learned counsel for the petitioners, the learned Government Pleader for Panchayat Raj and the learned Standing Counsel for the Gram Panchayat. It is not in dispute that the auction was conducted by the Gram Panchayat in the presence of the Divisional Panchayat Officer, Chandragiri, Chittoor District, the fourth respondent herein. Any offer in terms of Clause (a) could have been made only to the said authority. The petitioners have chosen to submit their offer to respondents 2 and 3, who have absolutely nothing to do with the matter. It was only on 10.03.2009 that the demand drafts were submitted before the fifth respondent. They were promptly returned on the ground that they have been submitted beyond the stipulated time. It is stated that the auction has been confirmed in favour of the highest bidder. This Court cannot grant any relief to the petitioners, at this stage. Hence, the writ petition is dismissed. There shall be no order as to costs. _____________________ L.NARASIMHA REDDY,J Dt:18.04.2009 kdl