IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH Civil Writ Petition No.13704 of 2009 Date of Decision: 03.09.2009 Jai Kumar Petitioner Versus State of Punjab and others Respondents CORAM:- HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE JASBIR SINGH Present: Mr.Manish Kumar Singla, Advocate for the petitioner ….. Jasbir Singh, J.(Oral) This writ petition has been filed with a prayer that directions be issued to the respondents to release the amount of compensation, to the petitioner and other similarly situated residents of Ward No.19, Sunam, district Sangrur, whose properties were damaged due to leakage in the water supply line. It is case of the petitioner that on a representation made by him and other residents (P1), stating that cracks have developed into their houses on account of leakage of water from the water supply line, a Committee was constituted to assess the damage caused. The Committee, vide report dated 15.5.2008, looked into the damage caused to, as many as 18 houses. Detail of the damage caused was given in that report. It is grievance of the petitioner that despite report made by the competent officer, amount of compensation has not been disbursed in favour of the petitioner and other similarly situated residents of the mohalla. Civil Writ Petition No.13704 of 2009 During arguments, it transpires that by stating his grievance, the petitioner has sent a legal notice on 8.6.2009 (P4), which is pending undecided. Counsel for the petitioner states that the petitioner will be satisfied in case directions are issued to respondent No.3 to take note and decide legal notice served by the petitioner. In view of facts mentioned above, this writ petition is disposed of by issuing directions to respondent No.3 to take note and decide legal notice served by the petitioner, as per law, by passing a speaking order. If the petitioner and other similarly residents of the area are found entitled to get relief claimed by them, the same be disbursed to them forthwith. To the contrary, if the officer concerned wishes to reject claim of the petitioner, on valid grounds, he may pass a speaking order and supply a copy of the same to him. Before passing any adverse order, an opportunity of hearing be provided to the petitioner and other similarly situated residents of the area. Needful be done within a period of two months from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. 03.09.2009 (Jasbir Singh) gk Judge 2