THE HON’BLE SRI JUSTICE V.V.S.RAO WRIT PETITION No.12079 of 2003 ORDER: The petitioners are brothers. They are residents of Peddapendiyal Village in Warangal District. They jointly own an extent of Acs.7.02 guntas in survey Nos.287, 288 and 289 situated at Peddapendiyal Village, Dharmasagar Mandal, Warangal District. Respondents proposed to lay road from Peddapendiyal to waylane. An extent of 4,800 square yards out of Acs.7.02 guntas was taken over by respondents for the purpose of laying a road. It is stated that second respondent also constructed a culvert in the occupied land, resulting in damage to land of petitioners. Petitioners got issued notices claiming compensation at Rs.120/- per square yard (total compensation amounting to Rs.5,60,000/-) in vain. Therefore, they filed the instant writ petition. Second respondent filed counter affidavit stating that one of the petitioners has given consent for parting with the land for formation of the road, and therefore, compensation need not be paid. This Court heard learned counsel for petitioners and learned Government Pleader for Panchayat Raj. The letter of consent was filed by second respondent. There is no dispute on this. Giving a letter of consent for acquiring 4,800 square yards for the purpose of laying road does not amount to waiving of right of petitioners for claiming compensation under the relevant law. When land was sought by respondents, one of them gave consent for parting with the land and a perusal of consent letter would show that the right to claim damages and other remedies was reserved. It is well settled that a citizen cannot be deprived of a property without following due process of law. Such deprivation would certainly contravene Article 300A of Constitution of India. The writ petition is, therefore, allowed directing respondents to initiate land acquisition proceedings within a period of four weeks from the date of receipt of this order and complete them within a period of six months thereafter. _______________ (V.V.S.RAO, J) 13.08.2009 pln