NEW DELHI – The Supreme Court on Monday made critical observations against the so-called bulldozer justice, saying properties can’t be demolished just because they belong to a person who is accused of a crime.
Hearing a batch of pleas against bulldozer/demolition action often undertaken by authorities against the houses of those accused of serious crimes, the court said the property can’t be demolished even if the person is convicted, reported Hindustan Times.
The Supreme Court, however, clarified it will not protect any illegal structure obstructing public roads.
The Supreme Court asked the authorities how anybody’s house could be demolished only because he is an accused. The court said that it proposes to lay down guidelines on the issue.
“Even if he is a convict, still it can’t be done without following the procedure as prescribed by law,” a bench of Justices B R Gavai and K V Viswanathan said on pleas against demolition action.
“We propose to lay down certain guidelines on a pan-India basis so that the concerns about the issues raised are taken care of,” the bench added.
Justice KV Viswanathan observed that a “father may have a recalcitrant son, but if the house is demolished on this ground…this is not the way to go about it”, reported India Today.
The court said such demolition can happen only if the structure is illegal.
Justice Viswanathan asked why directions cannot be passed to avoid such cases.
“First notice, time to answer, time to seek legal remedies, and then demolition,” he said, reported NDTV.
Over the past few years, several state governments have demolished houses and properties belonging to those involved in serious crimes.
The Supreme Court posted the matter for hearing on September 17.
