NEW DELHI: On Tuesday, the Supreme Court of India directed that authorities nationwide are prohibited from demolishing properties, including those of individuals accused of crimes, until October 1, without prior permission from the court. The court emphasised that even a single instance of illegal demolition is against the spirit of the Constitution.The order came in response to petitions filed by Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind and others, which sought directives to various state governments, including Uttar Pradesh, to halt the demolition of properties belonging to individuals accused of rioting and violence. The Supreme Court underscored that the glorification and grandstanding of “bulldozer justice” are unacceptable and mandated that no bulldozer demolitions occur without its prior approval until the next hearing on October 1.The bench, consisting of Justices B. R. Gavai and K. V. Vishwanathan, expressed disapproval of the way properties of accused individuals have been demolished in some cases. They questioned whether such actions should be permitted in India and hinted at the need for formal guidelines regarding the use of bulldozers for demolitions.Earlier, on September 12, the Supreme Court criticised law enforcement agencies in Gujarat for attempting to use a bulldozer to demolish a property without adhering to legal protocols. The court described such actions as “illegal” and noted that in a country governed by the rule of law, the demolition of a property based on a family member’s alleged crime is impermissible.Justice Hrishikesh Roy, leading a three-judge bench, remarked, “In a country where actions of the State are governed by the rule of law, the transgression by a family member cannot lead to the demolition of their legally constructed house, or it would be equivalent to running a bulldozer over the laws.” The court emphasised that allegations must be proved through due legal process, not through “bulldozer justice.”The Supreme Court’s order reflects a commitment to ensuring that the rule of law is upheld and that actions against accused individuals are conducted within the boundaries of legal norms.
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