Ranchi, March 28: Civil court today attached the immovable property of building construction department to recover an amount of Rs 29 lakh.

Sources said three contractors were supposed to get the money for carrying out the repairing and construction work on behalf of the department in 1991. Sub-judge I Vivekanand Banerjee had given the directive on November 17, 2006.

The attached immovable properties included a double-storied office of executive engineer situated at Line Tank Road beside old campus of Birsa Munda Central Jail under Lalpur police station. The court has assessed its value to be Rs 8 lakh. Other properties included, quality control laboratories at the offices of superintending engineer and executive engineers worth Rs 1.25 lakh and Rs 75,000, respectively. Moreover, ceiling fans, steel and wooden almirah, chairs, four wheelers, computer sets, duplicating machines, tables and drawing boards in the offices of both the superintending and executive engineers have also been attached.

Sources said three contractors S.K. Saluja, P.N. Singh and A.K. Singh had carried out the repairing work in the government quarters and offices in 1991. They were supposed to get about Rs 16 lakh.

“Failing to get the money, they finally moved to court, which on September 30, 2001, directed the department to pay the amount with interest. But despite the order, the department failed to pay. Then, the contractors again moved the court in 2002 requesting it to execute its order. Finally, the court ordered to attach their property,” said a government official.

Executive engineer Ashok Shah said the matter has been communicated to the government. “We have informed the finance department about the latest developments,” he said.

When asked, Shah refused to divulge any details about the case saying that the matter was old and he had no idea about the old cases.