THE HON’BLE Ms. JUSTICE G. ROHINI WRIT PETITION No. 15052 OF 2002 Dated: 28.10.2011 Between : Devarapalli Gram Panchayat … Petitioner And Mandal Revenue Officer … Respondent The Court made the following:- THE HON’BLE Ms. JUSTICE G. ROHINI WRIT PETITION No. 15052 OF 2002 ORDER: This writ petition is filed aggrieved by the order dated 02.08.2002 passed by the Mandal Revenue Officer, Devarapalli cancelling the earlier proceedings dated 12.04.2001, whereunder permission was granted to the petitioner Gram Panchayat to plant trees. A perusal of the impugned order itself shows that the earlier order dated 12.04.2001 was cancelled on the ground that the petitioner Gram Panchayat failed to take any steps even after lapse of 90 days to undertake the work of planting coconut and other types of trees on their tank bunds. Though the impugned order did not refer to any prior notice to the writ petitioner, in the counter affidavit filed by the Mandal Revenue Officer, it is sought to be contended that the site in question was personally inspected and having found that no trees were planted at all in survey No.238/1, the cancellation was ordered. The stand taken by the respondent in the counter affidavit has been disputed by the petitioner and it is stated that no inspection was conducted at any point of time. It is also asserted by the learned counsel for the petitioner that the Gram Panchayat had planted the trees and the same are existing as of today. Having heard the learned counsel for both parties and having regard to the admitted fact that the impugned order was not preceded by any notice to the petitioner and moreover, no material could be produced by the respondent that the inspection said to have been made by the Mandal Revenue Officer was conducted in the presence of the petitioner, the impugned order of cancellation is liable to be set aside on the ground of violation of principles of natural justice. Accordingly, the impugned order of cancellation is hereby set aside and the Writ petition is disposed of granting liberty to the respondent to pass appropriate orders afresh after giving an opportunity to the petitioner Gram Panchayat to show that the petitioner had taken the necessary steps in pursuance of the earlier order dated 12.04.2001. It is also made clear that status quo obtaining as on today shall be maintained in all respects till appropriate order is passed by the respondent in terms of this order. No costs. ___________ G. ROHINI, J Date: 28.10.2011 Ivd