Sirsa officials return empty-handed in effort to help trapped family

A poor labourer family in Alipur Titu Khera village, Sirsa, has been confined to their home for over two years due to a blocked access path, despite multiple court orders in their favour. Attempts by the local police and administration to intervene have repeatedly failed, leaving the family in despair.

On Tuesday, a team of officials led by SHO Kamal, BDPO Sarthak Srivastava and Patwari Jasmer Singh visited the village to address the issue but were met with resistance from the neighbouring family of Satnam Singh. After hours of deliberation and facing verbal abuse, the officials left without clearing the path.

Patwari Jasmer Singh explained the complexities of the case, stating, “The land in question belongs to 17 different owners. Jaswant has a 3-marla registered portion of the land but does not have possession of it. The court orders only state that a path must be provided but do not specify how it should be achieved.”

This was the second unsuccessful attempt to resolve the matter. In December 2024, SHO Sandeep had also visited the site but left within half an hour without taking action.

According to the police, no steps could be taken without approval from the Duty Magistrate. SHO Kamal said, “We require clearance from BDPO Sarthak Srivastava to proceed. Without it, we cannot enforce any action.” BDPO Srivastava, however, remained unresponsive to calls and messages.

The dispute stems from an illegal wall built by Satnam Singh, a retired army man. The wall blocks the narrow alley leading to Jaswant’s house. Jaswant, his wife Saroj, and their three children, including two severely disabled children aged 13 and 15, have been unable to leave their home for two years. The children, who cannot walk or talk, are entirely dependent on their parents.

Jaswant shared his struggle, saying, “To take my children to the doctor, I have to carry them down a wooden ladder to the roof of our neighbour’s house. This is our only way out.”

Satnam Singh, however, denies the allegations. “The wall is built on my own property. I have not encroached on anyone else’s land,” he claimed.

Other neighbours, such as Karnail Singh, are also involved in disputes with Satnam, accusing him of encroaching on their land. Karnail alleged, “He has taken over more land than he legally owns. We have been fighting this in court for years.”

For Jaswant’s family, the ordeal continues, with no clear resolution in sight. Despite court orders and administrative visits, they remain trapped, awaiting justice in a seemingly endless legal and bureaucratic limbo.