In the High Court of Punjab and Haryana at Chandigarh CWP No. 3971 of 2008 Balwinder Singh ......Petitioner Versus Union of India and others .......Respondents CORAM: HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE M.M.KUMAR HON'BLE MRS. JUSTICE SABINA Present: Mr.O.P.Kamboj, Advocate, for the petitioner (s). **** JUDGMENT M.M.KUMAR, J. This petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution prays for issuance of a writ in the nature of mandamus directing the respondents to pay the compensation to the petitioner for the crops Rabi 2001 Kharif 2002, Rabi 2003 and Kharif 2003 in respect of land measuring 16 Kanal 10 Marla comprised in Rect. No.7 Killa No. 21 (8-0) 22/1(6-19) 8/3/1(0-14) 22/2(0-18) situated in village Lamochar Kalan, Tehsil and District Ferozepur, as per the letter dated 31.12.2003 (Annexure P-2) issued by department of revenue (Emergency Relief Branch) to the Deputy Commissioner Amritsar, Ferozepur, Gurdaspur for ex -gratia payment of compensation to the CWP No. 3971 of 2008 -2- people/farmers for the damage occurred to their crops etc. For the relief claimed in the instant petition, the petitioner has already sent a legal notice dated 21.9.2006 (P-1) to the respondents to which no reply is stated to have been received. 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. Therefore, without going into the merits of the case, we dispose of the writ petition at this stage with a direction to the respondents to take a decision the legal notice dated 21.9.2006 ( P-1) sent by the petitioner by passing a speaking order within a period of two months from the date of receipt of a certified copy of this order. Petition stands disposed of in the above terms. (M.M.KUMAR) JUDGE (SABINA) March 14, 2008 JUDGE anita