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NHAI says compensation for sandalwood farmer deposited in court
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The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) on Friday clarified that the compensation due to T.N. Vishukumar, a sandalwood farmer who allegedly attempted to end his life near Vidhana Soudha while claiming prolonged delays in compensation by the NHAI, has been deposited in the High Court.Mr. Vishukumar, a farmer and sandalwood cultivator from Haliyur village in Tarikere taluk, allegedly attempted to take his life as a form of protest on June 2 near Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru.According to the police, Vishukumar alleged that 1.5 acres of his land was acquired by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) in 2016 for a highway project. He claimed that the NHAI had reduced the compensation amount and delayed its payment.However, the NHAI stated that compensation for the sandalwood trees on Vishukumar’s land was assessed and paid as per the rates determined by the Forest Department. Subsequently, the High Court enhanced the compensation amount.“NHAI accepted the enhanced compensation and deposited the requisite amount before the court. However, the landowner declined to accept the compensation amount deposited through the due legal process,” an NHAI statement said. Published - June 13, 2026 01:07 am IST
The truck driver’s tipper lorry, loaded with construction stones, plunged into a gorge at the quarry in December 2025. | Image for representational purpose only | After Upalokayukta Justice B. Veerappa suo motu initiated a probe into the death of truck driver Lakshmana, whose tipper lorry, loaded with construction stones, plunged into a gorge at the quarry, Rashmi B., senior geologist, Mandya, said quarry owner Kantharaju has paid Shashikala, the deceased’s wife, ₹25 lakh.The senior geologist said the Labour Department has also paid ₹5 lakh to Ms. Shashikala, taking the total compensation amount to ₹30 lakh.It may be mentioned here that the Upalokayukta had initiated a probe by booking 10 officials, including the jurisdictional Assistant Commissioner, tahsildar, and Deputy Superintendent of Police, for dereliction of duty.The Upalokayukta had taken cognisance of a media report that said a truck loaded with construction stones had plunged into a gorge at the quarry near Jataka Gate in Bellur police station limits of Nagamangala taluk, resulting in the death of the truck driver.The report alleged that the incident occurred due to the negligence of the owner of the quarry, where labourers were working in “pathetic” conditions, and that the quarry owner as well as the labourers were failing to adhere to mandatory safety measures.The Upalokayukta had observed that the quarry owner had failed to construct a compound wall or any protective barrier around the 40-ft deep gorge, adjacent to the route taken by the truck, while also taking note of the alleged inaction by officials of the Mines and Geology Department.Ms. Rashmi has informed the Upalokayukta that the licence of the quarry, Basaveshwara Stone Crushers, has been suspended. Published - June 11, 2026 08:07 pm IST
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