In a dramatic turn of events on Friday, officials from the District Health and Family Welfare Department found themselves at the center of controversy when their official vehicle was seized by court authorities following an order from the Belagavi District Sessions Court.
The court’s action came in response to a decades-old land compensation case that has long been ignored by the department. The land in question—measuring over 2 acres and located in Survey No. 125/2B of Hirebagewadi village—was acquired nearly 60 years ago under the British-era Land Acquisition Act of 1894. The land was taken for the construction of a government hospital, yet the rightful owners were never compensated.
The aggrieved landowners—Fakirappa Durgappa Talawar (31 guntas), Mallikarjun Talawar (1 acre 2 guntas), and Ashokatai Talawar (30 guntas)—had been fighting a protracted legal battle for justice. With the department failing to act on repeated directives, the court finally ordered the seizure of its vehicle as a coercive measure.
However, the situation escalated when the court officials arrived to impound the vehicle, only to find that it had allegedly been driven away by department staff. The move sparked outrage among those present, especially legal representatives of the petitioners. One of the lawyers was heard shouting, “The car was right here when we arrived! Are you trying to insult the court by fleeing with it?”
After a brief but heated exchange, the vehicle key was returned and formally handed over to Advocate R.N. Patil, representing the Talawar family.
This incident has reignited discussions about bureaucratic negligence and the lack of accountability in compensating citizens whose lands have been acquired for public purposes. Activists and legal experts have called it a stark reminder of how unresolved grievances can stretch across generations due to administrative apathy.
Court sources have confirmed that further hearings are expected, and the Health Department may face stricter action if it fails to comply with compensation orders in the coming weeks.
The episode has not only highlighted the plight of landowners but also placed the spotlight firmly on the state’s duty to uphold justice and due process—even if delayed by six decades.