THE HON’BLE MR JUSTICE L. NARASIMHA REDDY Writ Petition No.20680 of 2008 ORDER: The petitioner was granted lease, in respect of Ac.4.90 cents of land in Sy.No.496 of Peddapavani Village, Linga Samudram Mandal, Prakasam District, for a period of three years. It is stated that, on expiry of the lease, the petitioner is being continued as lessee, on enhancement of the lease amount, from Rs.1,500/- to Rs.2,000/-, per acre, per annum. The grievance of the petitioner is that, though he is regularly paying the lease amount, and cultivating the lands, the respondents are proposing to auction the leasehold rights, on 23-09-2008. Heard the learned counsel for the petitioner, and learned Government Pleader for the respondents. The term of a lease, in respect of the lands, held by the Religious Institutions, covered by Act 30 of 1987, of A.P. Charitable and Hindu Religious Institutions and Endowments Act, cannot exceed three years. The petitioner was granted lease, for the ﬁrst time, in the year 1997. More than three terms have elapsed. The reasons, for not conducting the auction, on expiry of every term; is not immediately before this Court. At least, at a belated stage, steps are taken, to conduct auction of leasehold rights. The petitioner is not able to point out any legal defect in the action of the respondents. The petitioner does not have any vested right, to continue as a lessee, beyond the term. At the most, he may be continued as lessee, in the event of his emerging as the highest bidder, or on his willing to pay the amount, that is fetched as highest bid. The writ petition is accordingly disposed of, and it shall be open to the respondents to conduct auction as proposed. It shall be open to the petitioner to participate in the same. In the event of the petitioner emerging as the highest bidder, fresh lease shall be granted to him. If the petitioner does not emerge as the highest bidder, he shall be granted fresh lease, in case he pays the amount, that is fetched in the highest bid. There shall be no order as to costs. _______________________ L NARASIMHA REDDY, J. Dt.22-09-2008. KO