Can’t Demolish Any Property Except Illegal Structures Till Oct 1: SC Order On ‘Bulldozer Justice’

New Delhi: Coming down heavily on ‘bulldozer justice’, the Supreme Court on Tuesday passed an interim order on Tuesday banning all government authorities from demolishing properties using bulldozers of those suspected of criminal activities, without prior approval from the court, until October 1—the next date of hearing. However, the court clarified that this would not be applicable in cases where razing is needed to remove unauthorized structures.

The order was passed by a bench of Justices BR Gavai and KV Viswanathan. “Till next date there shall be no demolitions without seeking leave of this court. However such order would not be applicable for unauthorised constructions on public streets, footpaths, abutting railway lines or public spaces,” the court ordered, as quoted by Bar and Bench.

‘Heavens won’t fall, if we ask you to hold your hands…’

The bench passed this order while hearing two pleas seeking directions to the Centre and the States to refrain from razing the homes or shops of accused in criminal proceedings.
Irked over such a trend, the court observed that heavens won’t fall if the court would ask the governments to hold their hands till the next hearing.

The court had also cautioned the government against ‘grandstanding’ and ‘glorification’ of such practices. It also stated that the Election Commission might also be put on notice.