Compensation for land acquisition unpaid for 46 years, two ADM vehicles attached

In an unusual development, the official vehicles of the Additional District Magistrates (ADMs) of Sabarimala and Pathanamthitta were attached over the government’s failure to pay compensation for land acquired 46 years ago for a bridge project at Enath.

The attachment was carried out following an order by the Pathanamthitta subcourt in a case relating to the acquisition of land belonging to Muraleedharan Nair, a native of Enathu, for the bridge project in 1980. He approached the court in 1995 seeking compensation for the land, which had been acquired without payment.

The court ruled in his favour in 2008. When the order remained unimplemented, he approached the court again in 2009 seeking its execution. Despite repeated notices to the Public Works Department’s (PWD) Kollam Road Division, the department reportedly informed the authorities that it lacked sufficient funds to pay the compensation.

Officials said the amount due to Mr. Nair, including compensation and interest, was ₹12,60,361. Following the attachment, the vehicles were shifted to the court premises. If the compensation remained unpaid, they could be auctioned to recover the amount.

The district administration arranged alternative vehicles for the two ADMs and said steps would be taken to secure the release of the attached vehicles once the amount ordered by the court was deposited. The issue had also been brought to the government’s attention.

“The government has been informed about the issue, as it is seriously affecting our regular functioning. Steps will be taken to release these vehicles at the earliest,” an official said.