Dhenkanal: Dhenkanal Sadar tehsildar faced legal action Wednesday for allegedly defying a court order, resulting in officials sealing the official (government) vehicle used by him. Acting on the court’s order, officials arrived at Sadar tehsil office around noon and sealed the official ‘Bolero’ vehicle the tahsildar had been using. When they proceeded to seal the furniture and computer in his chamber, the tehsildar sought more time.
He later appeared in court and complied with an earlier directive that required him to pay interest to a land loser for undue delay in disbursing compensation. The tehsildar handed over a cheque of Rs 12,01,908 towards the interest amount, after which he was granted relief, and the sealed vehicle was released.
According to case records, land was acquired in 2012 for the construction of Similia flyover near Baji Chowk in Dhenkanal town. Twelve decimals of land on Plot No-1941 and Khata No3132, owned by late Satyabadi Behera, had been acquired for the project. The family was entitled to Rs 7,51,316 in compensation.
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However, a dispute among the legal heirs stalled the distribution, prompting the family to file a case (LA Case No- 123/2013) before the court of Dhenkanal Senior Civil Judge. The family of the late Satyabadi Behera finally received Rs 6,74,624 in compensation February 15, 2024, after repeated visits to government offices. The court had also ordered payment of Rs 60,916 towards interest to the affected landowner for the inordinate delay in making payment. When the interest payment was further delayed, the court directed officials to pay a total of Rs 12,15,708.
However, the tehsildar failed to comply with the order, prompting the filing of a case (15/2025) against him. A notice was issued directing him to appear in court. He appeared, but did not release the interest amount.
Citing contempt of court, officials were ordered to seize the tehsildar’s government assets, following which a team reached Dhenkanal Sadar tehsil office and sealed his official vehicle (OD-06-L-2211), along with furniture. The tehsildar then appeared before the court and deposited Rs 12,01,908 through a cheque towards the interest amount.
The sealed vehicle was then released as per court orders. The court scheduled the next hearing for February 12 regarding the remaining dues. Advocate Banabihari Panda, representing the complainants, was present during the sealing of the vehicle. The sons of the deceased, including Pramod Kumar Behera, were also present. Pramod said the family was relieved to finally receive what was due to them, even though it came after a long delay. Sadar tehsildar Swadhin Kumar Behera said the compensation for land acquisition had already been paid earlier, except for a pending amount that was delayed due to government procedures. “I do not want to blame anyone. As directed, interest of more than Rs 12 lakh has now been paid,” he said.
