Kanyakumari District Collector fails to pay compensation, has his car taken away

A district court sent a stern message to government officials when they impounded a car and 10 computers used by Kanyakumari District Collector on Monday, September 25.

The action was taken when the authorities failed to pay part of a compensation for acquiring land on behalf of the Tamil Nadu Housing Board, reported the New Indian Express.

To add insult to injury, the order was carried out in the presence of people who had turned up for the weekly grievances meeting with the collector.

Reportedly, 42 cents of land was acquired by the Tamil Nadu Housing Board in Vallankumaravilal area near Nagercoil back in 1993. The land was owned by Sanmugasundaram, Sivagami Ammal and Prabhu.

The housing board delayed payment of compensation at the then market value of Rs 1,28,100. The landowners had moved the court and got an order in their favour in 2000. However, only part of the total amount was reportedly paid.

As the district administration failed to pay the remaining amount, they moved the court again and got an order in 2005 to fulfil the earlier order.

However, since the district administration failed to pay the remaining amount the court impounded the collector's car. Court staff Yogeswaran and Gopalakrishnan who executed the order also served notices to attach 10 computers in the collectorate.

Kanyakumari Collector Sajjansingh R Chavan told Times of India that the attached vehicle was one of those allotted to him. "It pertains to a case between an individual and the housing board. Compensation has been given to the individual for the acquisition but I have come to learn that he has demanded more interest," he said. 

He said that the district administration has extended full cooperation to the judiciary and will work towards getting the order revoked.

• Kanyakumari
• District Collector
• Car impounded