COMMON ORDER:

This common order disposes of the Second Appeal, Writ Petition as well as the Contempt Case.

2. The question of law involved in this case is whether notice before taking action under Section 7-A of the Andhra Pradesh Land Encroachment Act, 1905 (the Act, for short) is necessary.

3. The brief facts leading to the controversy may now be stated.

a) The sole plaintiff claims that he is in possession of a small piece of land admeasuring 30 feet x 40 feet in Survey No.360, Kanipakam, Irala Mandal, Chittoor District. The land is said to be situate in a strategic location. The plaintiff claims that he has been in possession of the property since over 25 years, that he has constructed a house about 16 years ago and that he has been running a sweetmeat shop from the said premises. He further contended that he has taken electricity connection for the premises and has been paying tax to the Gram Panchayat.

b) The first defendant is the State. The second defendant is the Mandal Revenue Officer. The third defendant is an individual. He was the Sarpanch of Kanipakam at the relevant time. It is the case of the plaintiff that there were disputes between the plaintiff and the third defenda