Court orders seizure of Hassan DC’s car over delayed land acquisition compensation

Hassan: In a rare and dramatic development, a court has ordered the seizure of the Hassan (DC) Deputy Commissioner’s official car after authorities failed to pay compensation for land acquired nearly 15 years ago.

Acting on the court’s directive, the affected farmer, accompanied by his lawyer, moved to seize the vehicle belonging to Hassan Deputy Commissioner K.S. Lathakumari on Monday. The case relates to land acquired for the Yagachi canal project in Alur taluk.

Around 15 years ago, the Irrigation Department had acquired 10.5 guntas of land in Survey No. 44/1 at Bhaktaravalli village, which belonged to farmer Marigowda. As per official records, compensation amounting to ₹11,22,559 was payable to the landowner. However, despite repeated representations and the passage of more than a decade, the compensation was not released.

Left with no alternative, Marigowda and his children approached the court, seeking justice and enforcement of the compensation order. After hearing the matter and noting prolonged non-compliance by the authorities, the court issued a strong order directing the seizure of the Deputy Commissioner’s car as a coercive measure to ensure payment.

Following the court order, farmer Marigowda, his family members, and advocate Manjunath arrived at the Deputy Commissioner’s office on Monday afternoon to execute the order. At the time, DC K.S. Lathakumari was attending an official meeting with senior officers inside her office.

In response to the situation, Additional Deputy Commissioner Jagadeesh B.A. came to the spot on behalf of the DC and requested time till the evening to release the compensation amount. He assured the farmer and his counsel that steps would be taken to settle the long-pending dues without further delay.

However, the farmer and his lawyer reportedly refused to accept verbal assurances, insisting on immediate compliance with the court order. They proceeded with steps to move the seized vehicle and arranged for another vehicle to tow the Deputy Commissioner’s Innova car.

The attempt, however, did not materialise after the driver of the towing vehicle declined, citing the risk of damage to the official car. As the situation remained unresolved, the farmer and his family members continued to sit near the seized vehicle, stating they would not leave until concrete action was taken to release the compensation.

The incident has sparked fresh debate on bureaucratic accountability and delays in paying compensation to farmers whose lands are acquired for public projects.

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