THE HON’BLE SRI JUSTICE RAMESH RANGANATHAN Writ Petition No. 15752 of 2000 Order: The relief sought for in the writ petition is to declare the action of the respondents in proposing to demolish the petitioner’s house bearing No.10-34, situated at Main Road, Dhevarapalli Mandal, Dhevarapalli, Kovvur, West Godavari District, as arbitrary and illegal. The petitioner’s contention, in short, is that the respondents have no authority in law to demolish his house for the purpose of road widening, in the absence of obtaining his consent or by initiating land acquisition proceedings. No counter aﬃdavit is ﬁled on behalf of the respondents. None appeared on behalf of the respondents 1, 3 and 4. Learned Government Pleader for Roads and Buildings, appearing on behalf of the 2nd respondent, would fairly state that the respondents cannot in law demolish any house without mutual consent or initiation of land acquisition proceedings. It is made clear that, in case the respondents intend to demolish a part of the petitioner’s house for the purpose of road widening, they shall do so only with the consent of the owner or by initiation of acquisition proceedings. It is also made clear that in case the land, which is sought to be taken over for the purpose of road widening, is an encroached land, it is then open to the respondents to take necessary steps for eviction in accordance with law. The writ petition is, accordingly, disposed of. No costs. __________________________ RAMESH RANGANATHAN, J. Date: 05.11.2008 Nsr