THE HON’BLE SRI JUSTICE L.NARASIMHA REDDY WRIT PETITION No. 238 OF 2007 O R D E R: The petitioners state that they have been allotted shops in Room Nos.3, 4 and 5 of Kargil Shopping Complex, owned by Gangapatnama Grampanchayat, Indukurupet Mandal, Nellore Districct, the 1st respondent herein, in the year 2000. Initially, the tenure of lease is said to be for a period three years, and it is represented that it was being renewed, from time to time. The grievance of the petitioners is that in the subsequent auction being conducted for allotment of the leasehold rights, they were not permitted to participate, and that the respondents are taking steps to evict them, without following the procedure prescribed by law. Heard the learned counsel for the petitioner and learned Government Pleader for Panchayat Raj. Though notice before admission was ordered, way back on 4.1.2007, the respondents have not ﬁled any counter affidavit, as yet. The petitioners assert that the lease was granted in their favour, on the basis of open auction conducted on 15.9.2000. The question as to whether the petitioners have any subsisting rights to continue as lessees, is not immediately before this court. Even assuming that there is no subsisting lease, in favour of the petitioners, their eviction can be only by issuing notice, as contemplated under law. Further, in case, the respondents intend to put the leasehold rights to auction, the petitioners shall be permitted to participate in it. Therefore, the writ petition is disposed of, directing that the respondents shall not evict the petitioners, except by following the procedure prescribed by law, and as and when the auction for grant of leasehold rights is conducted, the petitioners shall also be permitted to participate, in case, there are no dues of rent from them. There shall be no order as to costs. _____________________ 9th September 2008 PAN