Kalaburagi DC’s car seized over delay in land compensation

Kalaburagi: Court officials on Thursday seized the official vehicle of the Kalaburagi DC Fauzia Tarannum for allegedly failing to distribute compensation in a land acquisition case related to the establishment of a sewage treatment plant (STP) near Nandikur.The vehicle was released after the authorities assured the court that the compensation will be paid.Principal senior civil judge Kuruvatteppa Somanna Rotter ordered the seizure of the DC's car (KA-32-G-9990) over the alleged delay in disbursing court-ordered compensation.Sources said that when the authorities arrived to seize the vehicle, the driver initially refused to hand over the keys. The situation escalated to the point where court staff arranged for a towing vehicle to take away the car. Only then did the driver hand over the keys.Upon learning of the incident, Kalaburagi City Corporation commissioner Avinash Shinde, additional deputy commissioner Rayappa Hunsagi, and sub-divisional officer Sahitya Aladakatti rushed to the spot and tried to persuade the petitioner's counsel.The case dates back to nearly 20 years. In 2005, several acres of land were acquired near Nandikur to set up an STP. Among those affected was Prakash Malakappa, who lost 2 acres of land. At the time, he received compensation of only around Rs 1 lakh from the then sub-divisional officer.Challenging the amount, Malakappa approached the court, which later directed the authorities to pay Rs 6 crore as compensation for the land. Despite the order, the amount was allegedly not disbursed."As the order was not implemented, the judge directed the seizure of the DC's vehicle," said MN Patil, counsel for Malakappa.Judge K S Rotter instructed the DC and other officials to take necessary steps to ensure compensation was paid by March 12. The vehicle was later released on conditions.