IN THE HIGH COURT OF HIMACHAL PRADESH, SHIMLA CWP No.: 542 of 2007 Date of decision: 21.5.2009 Mauzi Ram … Petitioner. Versus State of H.P and others. …Respondents. Coram The Hon’ble Mr.Justice Deepak Gupta, J. The Hon’ble Mr. Justice V.K.Ahuja, J. Whether approved for reporting?1 No. For the petitioner: Mr. B.S.Chauhan, Advocate. For the respondents: Mr. R.K.Bawa, Advocate General and Mr. Rajesh Mandhotra, Deputy Advocate General. Per Deepak Gupta, J. (Oral) The grievance of the petitioner is that though some land belonging to him has been used by the State for construction of the Gumma-Tapri Bakhol road, no compensation has been paid to the petitioner nor his land has been acquired in accordance with law. Reply was filed by the State, which was not very clear. Therefore, we had directed the Superintending Engineer, 14th Circle, HPPWD, Rohru to file fresh affidavit giving the details of the land of the petitioner, if any, used for the construction of the aforesaid road. This affidavit has been filed and it has been clearly admitted that some land of the petitioner has been utilized for the construction of the said road. 1 Whether the reporters of the local papers may be allowed to see the Judgment? Yes. 2 The stand of the State is that the petitioner did not raise any objection at the time when the road was constructed and has got benefit of the connectivity of the road and therefore the petitioner is not entitled to claim any compensation. This Court has repeatedly held that no person can be deprived of his property except by process of law. This is a right granted to every citizen of the country under Article 300 (A) of the Constitution of India. By now the law is well settled that every citizen of this Country has a right to hold property and his property cannot be taken by the State except by process of law. In view of the above discussion, the writ petition is allowed. The respondents are directed to initiate acquisition proceedings for acquiring the land of the petitioner utilized for the construction of the aforesaid road by issuing notification under Section 4 of the Land Acquisition Act within a period of four months from today and to ensure that the acquisition proceedings are completed within two years thereafter. ( Deepak Gupta ), J. May 21, 2009, ( V.K Ahuja ), J. ™