CHANDRAPUR: In a surprising development, private landowners repossessed furniture and assets from the Bhadravati Municipal Council office due to unpaid rent totaling nearly 66 lakh for land leased for the town’s weekly market.
The 30,033 square feet of land, owned by Raju Gundawar, Sanjay Gundawar, and Kishor Gundawar, was leased to the council in 2018 for a monthly fee of 66,000. Although initial payments were made, the council eventually defaulted, accumulating years of overdue rent.
Despite repeated reminders and offers of payment plans from the landowners, the council failed to settle the outstanding debt. Consequently, the landowners sought legal recourse, and the Warora civil court ruled in their favor, authorizing the seizure of council property to reclaim the arrears.
After the court’s decision, the landowners, supervised by a bailiff, executed the seizure, taking away various items, including sofas, chairs, and additional office furniture from the Bhadravati Municipal Council premises.
Municipal council officials stated that they had proposed to settle the dues in five installments, citing financial constraints. However, the landowners rejected the proposal and proceeded with the seizure as mandated by the court.
Sanjay Gundawar, one of the landowners, commented, “The auction of the seized items will occur soon. If the full amount is not recovered, we will take further action.”
As the goods are set to be auctioned shortly to initiate recovery, this incident marks a significant legal and financial challenge for the Bhadravati Municipal Council.
