IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE, ANDHRA PRADESH AT HYDERABAD (Special Original Jurisdiction) THURSDAY, THE SEVENTH DAY OF FEBRUARY TWO THOUSAND AND EIGHT PRESENT THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE C.V.NAGARJUNA REDDY WRIT PETITION No.2312 of 2008 Between: K.Subramanyam and 8 others ..... PETITIONERS AND The Special Collector, Galeri Nagari Sujala Sravanthi Kadapa, Kadapa District and 2 others .....RESPONDENTS THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE C.V.NAGARJUNA REDDY WRIT PETITION No.2312 of 2008 ORDER: This writ petition is filed for a Writ of Mandamus to declare the action of the respondents in not paying compensation to the petitioners in respect of the acquired land of an extent of Ac.26-67 cents comprised in Sy.Nos.372/1A2, 369/1A, 359/2, 323/2, 319/2 situated in Sunkesula village, Owk Mandal, Kurnool District in pursuance of Award No.1/2007-08, dated 30.04.2007, as illegal and arbitrary. Heard Smt.Harija Akkineni, learned counsel, representing Sri M.Subba Reddy, learned counsel for the petitioners and learned Asst.Govt.Pleader for Land Acquisition. The learned counsel for the petitioners stated that in respect of the lands of the petitioners acquired by the respondents, two awards, viz., Award No.11/2006-07, dated 03.11.2006 and Award No.1/2007- 08, dated 30.04.2007 were passed and that the amounts covered by Award No.11, dated 03.11.2006 were paid to the petitioners and no amounts under Award No.1, dated 30.04.2007 were paid. The learned counsel further admitted that no written request has been made by the petitioners for making payments under Award No.1/2007-08, dated 30.04.2007. It is legally well settled that before seeking a Writ of Mandamus, there must be prior demand for justice. (See Kamini Kumar Das Choudhary vs. State of W.B[1] and Amrit Lal Berry, K.N.Kapur vs. Collector of Central Excise Central Revenue[2]). As the petitioners have not approached the respondents seeking payment of the amounts under Award No.1/2007-08, dated 30.04.2007, I am not inclined to entertain this writ petition at this stage. The Writ Petition is, therefore, dismissed. However, the petitioners are permitted to file their representations before the respondents within a period of four weeks from today, and on receipt of such representations, respondent No.2 shall dispose of the same by passing a reasoned order, within a period of four weeks therefrom. If the petitioners are aggrieved by the response of the respondents, they shall be free to avail appropriate remedies, available under law. As a sequel to dismissal of the writ petition, WPMP.No.2980 of 2008 filed by the petitioners for interim relief is dismissed, as infructuous. ____________________________ C.V.NAGARJUNA REDDY,J Dated: 07.02.2008 Dsr [1] AIR 1972 SC 2060 [2] AIR 1975 SC 538