Curation Team
CHANDRAPUR: In a dramatic turn of events, private landowners seized furniture and other assets from the office of the Bhadravati Municipal Council after the civic body failed to pay outstanding rent amounting to nearly 66 lakh for land leased for the town’s weekly market.
The land, measuring 30,033 square feet and owned by Raju Gundawar, Sanjay Gundawar, and Kishor Gundawar, was leased to the municipal council in 2018 at a monthly rent of 66,000.
While initial payments were made, the council subsequently defaulted, resulting in years of unpaid dues.
Despite repeated reminders and ample opportunities given by the landowners, the civic body did not pay the outstanding dues.
Left with no alternative, the landowners approached the civil court in Warora which ruled in their favour. The court authorised the seizure of the civic body’s property to recover the unpaid rent.
Following the court order, the landowners carried out the seizure operation under the inspection of a bailiff, removing multiple items including sofas, chairs, and other office furniture from the premises of the Bhadravati Municipal Council.
According to official sources in the municipal council, the body had proposed to clear the dues in five instalments, citing an inability to make a one-time payment. However, the proposal was declined by the landowners, who proceeded with the seizure as per the court’s directions.
“The auction of seized items will be carried out soon. If the full amount is not recovered, we will proceed with further seizure,” said Sanjay Gundawar, one of the landowners.
The seized goods are expected to be auctioned shortly to initiate recovery, marking a significant legal and financial setback for the Bhadravati Municipal Council.
