Raghubir Singh, a resident of Mohatli village in the Indora subdivision of Kangra district, has regained possession of his ancestral land after a legal battle spanning 14 years and involving multiple courts, including the state High Court.
Following the execution of a court order, Singh on Friday fenced off a portion of the land and placed heaps of muck on it, resulting in the closure of the road connecting Mohatli and Pathankot via Dahkulara. The closure has caused inconvenience to residents and daily commuters from Mohatli, Bapoo, Dahkulara and nearby villages in the Indora subdivision. Industrial units located in the Malot Industrial Area are also expected to be affected.
Background of the Dispute
The Public Works Department (PWD) had reportedly constructed the road on land claimed by Singh as his ancestral property. Singh alleged that despite repeated representations, he was not paid compensation for the land. He contended that the department used the land for public purposes without completing the required land acquisition process.
Legal Journey
Singh initially filed a civil suit against the PWD in 2012 seeking compensation for the land on which the road had been constructed. After the department lost the case, it filed an appeal before the Additional District and Sessions Court (ADSC), Nurpur, in 2018. The appeal was dismissed in 2019, and the court reportedly ordered attachment of departmental property if compensation was not paid.
Subsequently, the PWD challenged the ADSC order before the state High Court in 2020. According to Nitish Behal, counsel for Singh, the High Court dismissed the appeal and directed the authorities either to pay compensation for the 58 marlas of land or restore possession of the land to its owner.
Execution of Court Order
Behal said a petition seeking execution of the High Court order was later filed before the Judicial Magistrate First Class, Indora. Acting on the petition, the court on June 2 directed revenue authorities to restore possession of the land to Singh. Following the execution of the order, Singh took possession of the land, leading to the closure of the road passing through it.
Current Status
When contacted, Deepak Mahajan, Executive Engineer, PWD Division, Indora, said the department had filed a Special Leave Petition (SLP) before the Supreme Court challenging the High Court order and that the matter was awaiting adjudication.
