Court Orders Seizure of ADM Office Furniture in Belonia

Tripura Administration Faces Embarrassment Again: Court Orders Seizure of ADM Office Furniture in Belonia

By Our Correspondent

Agartala, June 17, 2025

In yet another stark reminder of administrative failure in Tripura, the residents of Belonia witnessed a dramatic scene yesterday when, acting on a court directive, the office furniture of the South Tripura Additional District Magistrate (ADM) was seized. This action was ordered by the local Belonia court due to the administration’s failure to pay compensation related to a land acquisition case.

The case pertains to a complaint filed by local resident Dilip Das, who alleged that he was not compensated for land acquired for the railway.

The court, after hearing the matter under L.A. Case No. 71/21, ruled in favor of the petitioner, directing the ADM’s office to pay compensation. However, the administration reportedly failed to comply with the directive despite repeated notices.

In response, the Belonia court issued an order to ‘cruck’ (seize) the ADM’s office furniture, including the chair and table, as a symbolic enforcement of the judgment. This seizure was executed yesterday by court officers in full public view, drawing attention to administrative apathy.

As per reports, the court had previously directed the concerned land acquisition collector to pay a compensation amount of approximately Rs. 20 lakh to the petitioner. But despite repeated reminders, no payment was made, prompting the court to take this drastic step. Presently, Court ordered to pay 42 lakh along with the panel interests and penalties.

This is not the first instance of such administrative embarrassment in Tripura. A similar incident occurred last year in Sepahijala district, where the Land Acquisition Collector’s office was also subjected to court seizure over a compensation issue.

The issue escalated yesterday when ADM was not present in his office at the time of the seizure.

The episode took place in full public view, drawing large crowds and prompting discussions about the current state of governance in Tripura.

Locals and political observers see the incident as a serious administrative lapse and a reflection of the government’s inability to comply with judicial mandates. Legal experts point out that this kind of public court action reflects not only a breakdown in compliance mechanisms but also an erosion of public confidence in administrative efficiency.

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