THE HON’BLE SRI JUSTICE L.NARASIMHA REDDY Writ Petition No.7347 of 2008 ORDER: The petitioners claim that they have constructed thatched sheds upon the Government land in R.S.No.417/62A/2, Ward No.24 of Kanchara Tank, which is within the limits of Amalapuram Municipality. They feel aggrieved by the Notice, dated 24-03- 2008, issued by the Municipality - the second respondent herein, requiring them to remove the structures. It is stated that the Municipality has proposed to lay road across the Government land and in that view of the matter, the petitioners were required to vacate it. The principal ground urged by the petitioners is that they were not given any opportunity to submit explanation and straightaway steps were being taken for removal of the structures. Heard the learned counsel for the petitioners and the learned counsel for the respondents. The open places and Government lands within the limits of the Municipality vest in it and if any encroachment is found upon such lands, the Municipality is conferred with the power under Sections 193 and 194 of the A.P. Municipalities Act, 1965, to remove them by issuing Notices. Though the said provisions do not contemplate an enquiry or hearing of objections, the principles of natural justice mandate that the persons sought to be evicted be given an opportunity to be heard. The petitioners can put forward their objections in response to the impugned notice. Hence, the Writ Petition is disposed of directing that it shall be open to the petitioners to submit their explanation/objections within a period of 15 days from today. The second respondent shall take further steps on consideration of the explanations so submitted. Till such time, the status quo obtaining as on today shall be maintained. There shall be no order as to costs. ________________________ L.NARASIMHA REDDY, J. 10th November, 2009. skmr THE HON’BLE SRI JUSTICE L.NARASIMHA REDDY Writ Petition No.7347 of 2008 Date : 10-11-2009 Between : Bandaru Venkateswara Rao and six others .. Petitioners And The District Collector, East Godavari District, Kakinada and another .. Respondents