In the High Court of Punjab and Haryana at Chandigarh C.W.P.No.3616 of 2008 Date of Decision:12-3-2008 Rajinder Kumar ---Petitioner vs. State of Punjab and others ---Respondent Coram: Hon'ble Mr. Justice M.M.Kumar Hon'ble Mrs. Justice Sabina Present: Mr. O.S.Batalavi, Advocate, for the petitioner M.M.Kumar,J. This petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution prays for quashing the order withholding the payment of Rs. 1,50,000/- by respondent No. 3 and further prayers for directing the respondents to immediately release the payment to the petitioner and to produce the record pertaining to the work executed by the petitioner in the capacity of contractor, as extra gratification has been demanded by the officials of respondent No. 3. For the relief claimed in the instant petition, the petitioner has also sent legal notice dated 8.9.2007(P-3). We have heard the learned counsel for the petitioner at some length and perused the paper book. It is well settled that before seeking a direction or a writ of mandamus, a demand justice notice is required to be served on the respondents as has been done in the present case. The petitioner had sent a legal notice, dated 8.9.2007 (P-3), to which no reply is stated to have been received. Therefore, without going into the merits of the case, we dispose C.W.P.No.3616 of 2008 -2- of the writ petition at this stage with a direction to the respondents to take a decision on the legal notice dated 8.9.2007 (P-3) by passing a speaking order within a period of two months from the date of receipt of a certified copy of this order. If any payment is found due, the same shall be paid to the petitioner within a month thereafter. Petition stands disposed of in the above terms. (M.M.KUMAR) JUDGE ( SABINA ) JUDGE March 12, 2008 paramjit