KASARAGOD: A JCB, confiscated by the Revenue Department for removing soil from the graveyard, as earlier requested by the mosque committee, was finally returned to its owner.

The turning point was the High Court's order to release the vehicle after paying the fine of Rs 44.85 lakh as a bond and providing two sureties. When the court asked for anyone to come forward, Thangaraj revealed his helplessness. Later, the daughter of the president of the Nusratul Juma Masjid Committee in Ganesh Mukku, and the then secretary Mushtaq, were ready to put up a bond by presenting the proof of their land. The mosque committee's change of stance also helped Thangaraj.

The authorities confiscated the vehicle after the mosque committee or those associated with it turned hesitant to pay the fine in July 2024.

Following this, the owner became a debtor of lakhs and the plight of Thangaraj, who lives in rented quarters in Cheruvathur Kaithakkad, was reported by 'Kerala Kaumudi' on November 18, 2024.

The bond stipulates that the land in the two survey numbers of Razia in Razia Manzil of Padanna Kalikkadav and U.K. Mushtaq in Hafsa Manzil of Orimukk cannot be transferred until the case is resolved under the supervision of the revenue authorities. This, along with the affidavits, the valuation report of the Hosdurg Tahsildar and the no-obligation certificate of the Thrikaripur Sub-Registrar Officer, was presented by District Collector K. Inbasekaran on the 13th of this month.

After receiving the orders of the court and the district collector, Thangaraj reached Chandera police station yesterday morning, called a mechanic, repaired the vehicle and started it. At 4:30 pm, he received the keys and took possession of the vehicle as per the instructions of Chandera Inspector K. Prashanth. The court has not yet decided the case.

The revenue authorities had issued a notice to Thangaraj to deposit Rs 44.85 lakh. The vehicle had been rusting in front of the Chanthera police station for 26 months due to rain and sun. The bank had sent a seizure notice demanding repayment of Rs 26 lakhs taken to buy the confiscated earthmoving machine. As per the agreement reached during the discussions held with the intervention of the panchayat representatives, the mosque committee paid Rs 1.80 lakhs in the loan arrears. Even when Thangaraj reached the station to take the vehicle, he received a call from the bank asking him to repay the money.