THE HON'BLE SRI JUSTICE GODA RAGHURAM and THE HON'BLE SRI JUSTICE N. RAVI SHANKAR W.P.No.19545 of 2011 ORDER (Per Sri Justice Goda Raghuram) This writ petition is filed on 11.07.2011 challenging the sale of a residential building bearing door No.16-16/137, Desaipeta, Vetapalem Mandal, Prakasam District, in auction by the first respondent for recovery of arrears of income-tax, on several grounds; inter alia alleging that the auction was held nearly a decade after the property was attached; that the auction was held on a National Holiday; that the description of the property sold was not correctly reflected; the sale was of an extent in excess of the land owned by the petitioner; that the respondents including the auction purchaser, the third respondent, colluded to deprive the petitioner of his property; and that the property was sold for a value much less than the market value of the property at the time. The property in question was earlier mortgaged by the petitioner in favour of the second respondent Bank for obtaining a loan. In respect of the said transaction, there was a meandering course of litigation between the petitioner and the second respondent, to which the Revenue was not a party. No reasons are offered why the petitioner did not assail the auction and sale conducted on 25.10.2006, for nearly half a decade now. On the aforesaid facts and circumstances, the relief claimed in the writ petition cannot be granted on account of delay and latches. The Writ Petition is accordingly dismissed at the stage of admission. There shall be no order as to costs. ___________________ GODA RAGHURAM, J ___________________ N. RAVI SHANKAR, J Date:24.08.2011 sj