The Hon’ble Sri Justice R.Subhash Reddy Writ Petition No.6770 of 2005 Order: In this Writ Petition, the petitioners, 19 in number, seek declaration, by way of Mandamus, that the action of the respondent-Corporation in taking steps for demolition of their houses situated in patta lands bearing D.Nos.73-8- 11/2, 73-8-11/4, 73-8-11/4, 73-12-12/5B, 73-2-2, 73-3-2/2A, 73-12-14, 73-3-2/2, 73-12- 2, 73-3-2/1, 73-3-2/1, 73-9-4/1, 73-9-4, 73-3-2, 73-3-9, 73- 3-2/1 and 73-3-2/3 situated at Narayanapuram, Rajahmundry, East Godavari District, as illegal and arbitrary. In the affidavit, filed in support of the Writ Petition, it is stated that the petitioners have purchased the above-said house sites from its earlier owners during the years 1986 to 1997 and constructed houses by following the individual plans, which were approved by the respondent- Corporation. It is the grievance of the petitioners that the officials of the respondent-Corporation are taking steps for demolition of the said constructions, without any valid reasons and without issuing prior notice and opportunity to them. At the stage of admission, this Court vide interim order, dated 30th March, 2005, directed the respondent not to demolish the houses of the petitioners and the said interim order has been in force since then. Though the Writ Petition is of 2005, no counter- affidavit has, so far, been filed on behalf of the respondent- Corporation. Inasmuch as it is the case of the petitioners that they have purchased the lands in question and constructed houses therein in accordance with the plans, which were approved by the respondent-Corporation, and as the respondent-Corporation did not choose to file any counter- affidavit controverting the allegations levelled against it, I deem it appropriate to dispose of the Writ Petition directing the respondent-Corporation not to take any further steps for demolition of the petitioners’ houses in question as otherwise than by due process of law. However, it is made clear that if the constructions raised by the petitioners are found to be in deviation to the sanctioned plans, this order does not preclude the respondent-Corporation from initiating proceedings for demolition thereof, after issuance of notice and opportunity to the petitioners. Subject to the above directions, the Writ Petition is disposed of. There shall be no order as to costs. _________________ R.Subhash Reddy, J Dated 21st December, 2009 lur